This Sauveterre plateau viewpoint is aptly named. The panorama takes in the Tarn Gorge, narrow ravines towards Pas de Soucy and the Roche Aiguille. At the foot of the modest plateau overlooking the Tarn from 400m up is the magnificent cirque des Bau..

This spectacular spot is above the medieval hamlet of La Garde-Guérin (turn left at the “belvedere” sign on the D 906 and follow the track up to a narrow platform). The view shoots vertiginouslyy down into the Chassezac Gorge; the rumbling of the wat..

Between southern Corbières and Conflent, the Fenouillèdes is striking for its savage beauty. From Estagel , the landscape is given over to the vineyards of Maury and Côtes du Rousillon. Between Sournia and Prades, the massif takes on a more austere ..

The valley is reached from the col de Puymorens by a winding road and through the Puymorens tunnel (above its entrance is the Cascade de Lumiere, a polychrome glass sculpture by Josette Rispal). The road drops down towards Carol, with views of the ..

This pass rises to an altitude of 2 047m and lies on the dividing line between the Atlantic and Mediterranean slopes. It is definitely worth a pause to enjoy the view of the Andorran mountains.

This cave in the Vicdessos Valley is famous for its remarkably well-preserved prehistoric wall drawings. Due to the fragile nature of the setting, visits are conducted by torchlight and are limited to the Salon Noir area. The walls are decorated wi..

A famous prehistoric milestone in the scientific world, since it was here that the Azilian civilization was studied and defined, the Mas d'Azil is one of the most interesting natural sites in the Ariège. 420m long and 50m wide, the cave houses objec..

The Prehistoric Park is devoted to cave paintings and the life of the Magdalenians. It illustrates the world of the decorated caves through photographs, videos and excellent reconstructions, including a large painted panel from the Marscoulas Cave, t..

The High Gothic chancel was completed in 1332 but to continue it would have been necessary to demolish part of the ramparts, which at the time were still of use. Work stopped there and thus the cathedral is made up of an architecturally pure chancel ..

In addition to its lapidary collection evoking the institutions, religious and commercial practices of Roman Narbonne, the Archaeological Museum has France’s best collection of Roman paintings . Primarily from the archaeological site of Clos de la L..

With its fragrant scrub and valley vineyards, the mountainous Corbières region assures visitors a pleasant experience. It is however its Cathar heritage which continues to fascinate. Known as the “Five Sons of Carcassonne”, the citadels protecting th..

The current building was built in red sandstone from 1277. The impressive façade, with the allure of a fortress was originally a stronghold built beyond the city's perimeter wall. In 1510, a magnificent 87m-high bell tower was built to top the Flam..

Hôtel de Jouéry is the oldest residence in Rodez and abutting it is a modern building which does not detract from the former in any way. This is the location of the Rouergue archaeology and history museum covering the period from prehistory to the ..

Most of this abbey church dates from the 12C, including the exceptional tympanum over the west door, which features no less than 124 figures carved out of yellow limestone representing the Last Judgement. It is best seen at sunset. The interior is eq..

Beyond Estaing, the River Lot flows into the Golinhac dam reservoir before flowing on through narrow and picturesque gorge scenery. Some 300m deep, the gorge rarely exceeds 1 500m across at the top of its sides. Rocky outcrops rise up from its wooded..

Leave Espalion on the left bank of the Lot. At St-Pierre, cross the bridge to the Church of St Pierre de Bessuéjouls and admire its fine 11C Romanesque chapel . Continue on towards Estaing , stopping to enjoy its castle and picturesque streets, b..

Beyond Madières, the River Vis runs between the high cliffs of the Blandas limestone plateau on the left and the steep slopes of the Séranne mountain on the right. On leaving Le Claux, ruined Château de Castelas can be seen on a clifftop at the mouth..

This collection assembled by Georges Bemberg is devoted to artwork (paintings, sculpture, objets) from the Renaissance to the 20C. Works by Venetian artists ( vedute by Canaletto), Flemish and Dutch painters (Rogier Van der Weyden, Pieter de Hooch..

Romanesque sculpture is outstandingly represented in this museum housed in the former Saint-Raymond school. Built in 1523 and later reconstructed by Viollet-le-Duc, it has been superbly restored. The museum contains numerous objets from ancient Tolos..

The Jacobin convent is a fine example of 13C and 14C southern French Gothic architecture. The enormous church has a double nave and seven columns supporting a 28m-high vault. The famous "palm tree" is made up of a column and 22 alternately ..