Millau, Rodez, Roquefort...

To discover all the beauty and riches of the Aveyron, you will need to take your time. There is so much to see and do. From the “Grands Sites” of the Midi-Pyrénées to some of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, not forgetting the fortified towns and villages, you won’t get bored in Aveyron. Discover the likes of Rodez, Conques, Najac, Roquefort, the Knights Templar sites, the Millau Viaduct, the Gorges du Tarn, the Lot Valley and the Grands Causses.

Millau
From our hotel and restaurant, the Millau Viaduct is at your feet. At the gates of the Gorges du Tarn and Larzac, Millau is a Town of Art and History (“Ville d’art et d’histoire”) that has a range of resources and treasures dating back to Ancient Rome. Between its rich 2000-year history and the truly modern activities it has to offer today, it is a town that lacks neither charm nor vitality.

A crossroads between the great Midi-Pyrenees region and the region of Languedoc Roussillon, Millau is listed among France’s “Grands Sites”, and is the second-largest town in the Department of Aveyron. Its industrial tradition dates from the Gallo-Roman era. Thereafter, the town became famous for its hide and glove industries. Artisan glovers still perpetuate this craftsmanship to this day, and their work can be admired in the various workshops of the town.

Things to see include the old medieval houses in the old town; the Notre-Dame de l’Espinasse church; the belfry (the Tower of the Kings of Aragon); the remnants of the Pont Vieux; the Lavoir de l'Ayrolle washhouse; the town museum in the Hôtel de Pégayrolles with collections on palaeontology, archaeology, tannery and glove-making; and the market between the belfry and the elegant Place Foch. Plus, don’t miss the famous Viaduct, the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world. It’s an innovative modern work of architecture that has firmly put Millau on the map of the world.

Take a boat from Creissels, where our hotel is located, and discover the Tarn and the Millau Viaduct with the Viaduct boat masters, who will tell you all about the flora and fauna and the history and geography of the region.

Rodez
At the heart of Aveyron and perched atop a mount is Rodez, one of the "Grand Sites of the Midi-Pyrenees" (Grands Sites Midi-Pyrénées). The most beautiful landscapes in the region spread out at its feet. Bordered by two vastly different regions – the arid plateaus of the Causses on one side and the humid hills of the Ségala on the other – the two thousand year-old town invites you to stroll along its cobbled streets and explore its exceptional past and heritage. Some of the must-sees include the historic centre with its winding streets and medieval buildings; the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with a beautifully detailed sandstone bell tower; the Musée Soulages, which since 2014 has housed the world’s largest collection of paintings by Pierre Soulages (a native of Rodez); the Musée Fenaille, considered to be one of the best archaeological museums in France with its exceptional collection of menhir statues; and the Musée des Beaux-Arts Denys-Puech, a museum dedicated to contemporary sculpture.

Set aside time during your stay with us to visit Rodez, which has been designated a "Region of Art and History" ("Pays d’Art et d’Histoire"). Less than an hour away, the town beckons you to explore its impressive cultural heritage before enjoying a peaceful evening at the Château de Creissels. 

Roquefort
Situated 20 km from the Château de Creissels, this place is not to be missed, serving up a feast for the eyes and for the tastebuds. The village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, backing onto the flanks of Mount Combalou, awaits you. It is here, formed from the very rock, that you will find the caves in which the king of cheeses is matured, loved by gastronomes the world over: Roquefort, the first cheese to receive the "Appellation d’Origine" ("Appellation of Origin") seal in 1925. This seal is the oldest appellation of origin for cheeses in France.
A visit to the maturing caves at Roquefort is an unmissable experience, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the underground cathedrals, formed naturally as part of the subsidence of Mount Combalou. Arranged in these vast caves, ventilated by fleurines, natural cracks allowing air to circulate underground, are thousands of wheels of Roquefort, watched over lovingly by master cheesemakers - guardians of a skill and a tradition that goes back over a thousand years.

To ensure that you get the most out of your visit to this colourful site, there are three hiking trails that are marked with fascinating information on the unique, preserved landscapes that surround it. Choose between the Sentier des Échelles (6 km), the Sentier de Trompette (4 km) and the Sentier du Menhir, the most enjoyable and best suited for families (3.6 km).