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ESTAING

Estaing, a rich and handsome heir

36 Km north of Rodez, in the department of Aveyron, Estaing nestles in a green setting at the bottom of the Lot valley. Birthplace of the famous d'Estaing family, the village is listed among the most beautiful in France.

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ESTAING - Aveyron (12)

At the entrance of the gorges du Lot, at the foot of the Monts d'Aubrac, the medieval town of Estaing is spread along a rocky spur. Its castle (15th-17th centuries) was the residence of the d'Estaing family. And what a family! Warriors (with Philippe Auguste, Richard the Lionheart and Lafayette in particular) governors, Bishops, a cardinal, a lieutenant general in the Royal Army, and the most recent in the family, Admiral d'Estaing. Until 1789, the d'Estaing family were called to the highest local and national offices.

With a square keep, watchtowers and a confusion of elegant buildings, the castle dominates the village. History has given the village a rich heritage: a church dedicated to Saint-Fleuret (the patron saint of the town, celebrated on the first Sunday in July), the Ouradou Chapel, Renaissance houses, and an ancient school dating back to 1529,...

Dating back to the 16th century, the Gothic bridge over the Lot is part of the UNESCO world heritage as a major stage on the Chemin du Puy. It is decorated with a beautiful cross reproduced as a piece of jewellery and also bears the statue of Bishop François d'Estaing, who built the bridge and the magnificent bell tower of the cathedral in Rodez. Today, people walking the road to Santiago de Compostela often cross the bridge.

If you stay in Estaing you can enjoy the many possibilities on offer in the Lot valley for hiking, fishing, canoeing and other open air activities. While you are there, make sure you taste the wine from Estaing, from the smallest VDQS* vineyard in France. * VDQS: «Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieur», a guarantee of origin and quality.

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