Explore Villefranche-de-Rouergue and Najac in the Aveyron, two bastide towns that are closely related yet very different. Their colours, setting and atmosphere are similar, yet their originality is the key to the action-packed history of the bastide towns of South-West France.
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, which lies on the edge of the Aveyron Valley, is understandably proud of its distinguished origins. It is an hour's drive from Conques, another Major Midi-Pyrénées Historical Site, and boasts a superb heritage and an idyllic setting dominated by the russet roof-tiles of the French Midi.
Further south, the river begins heading towards spectacular gorges. Najac stands on an outcrop overlooking the river where the wild Aveyron Gorges begin. This peaceful village is surrounded by beautiful scenery combining water, trees and rocks.
Both towns belong to the same category of bastide towns and rank among the masterpieces of the Rouergue, the Land of Art and History. This new style of town flourished throughout the Midi-Pyrénées in the Middle Ages. Both towns also share the same founder, Alphonse de Poitiers.
This fascinating character was the brother of Louis IX, better known as Saint Louis. Alphonse de Poitiers founded Villefranche-de-Rouergue in 1252 and a year later, gave orders to expand the castrum of Najac and turn it into a bastide town. He also transformed what was a primitive castle into an impressive fortress.
Bastide towns were created to bring hitherto scattered groups of people together, to work the land effectively, organise economic life and build trading networks. They have distinctive checkerboard layouts with perpendicular streets leading to a central square.
The still-intact Villefranche-de-Rouergue is a magnificent example of the urban planning that developed alongside the bastide towns. Its dense network of streets is carefully organised so as to lead in to the main square, which is surrounded by arcades topped by Gothic and Renaissance houses. Here, the proud Notre Dame Collegiate Church stands triumphant, a gigantic stone structure housing a bell porch.
Najac, which has a very different layout, blends into its rocky surrounding with a single, graceful street that runs from east to west, from the royal castle down to Place du Barry. On the way down, you can stop and admire timber-framed houses, ancient fountains and narrow-stair alleyways.
Whilst Najac and Villefranche-de-Rouergue have different attractions, they form an outstanding pair that is just waiting to be discovered during enriching and fun holidays.
Keys to discovery
> The bastide square, the town’s commercial heart, still plays an essential role to this day. The proof can be seen in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, where one of the region's finest markets is held on Thursday mornings. At the foot of the Notre Dame Collegiate Church, the market stalls sell typical Aveyron produce: farçous (chard and bacon pancakes), aligot (mashed potatoes with cream and cheese), truffade (potatoes with garlic and onions) and fouaces (orange-flower water brioche), together with foie gras, confits, cured meats and local speciality breads, etc.
> Explore Villefranche-de-Rouergue in July and August in the company of a guide who will talk you through the unique subtleties of this bastide town, whose heritage includes treasures such as the Notre Dame Collegiate Church, medieval houses that belonged to rich merchants, the Saint-Sauveur Charterhouse and the Baroque Chapel of the Black Penitents.
> In Najac, visit the impressive fortress that was built as a watchtower 200 metres above the Aveyron Gorges. The view from the top of the dungeon is unforgettable. The castle is a fine example of medieval military architecture and has remained the "key to the whole land", as planned by the man who commissioned it, Count Alphonse de Poitiers.
> Najac and the Aveyron Gorges are dream destinations for holidays at the heart of nature. On the agenda: swimming, hiking, mountain-biking, kayaking and rock-climbing. Najac is a warm, welcoming village with 900 inhabitants, where you will be charmed by the shops, hotel-restaurants, holiday resorts, bed & breakfasts and self-catering accommodation.
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