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THE BASTIDES OF THE ROUERGUE AREA

The Region of the Bastides du Rouergue

Bastides du Rouergue, a Region of Art and History located in the west of the Aveyron. The Region of Art and History of the Bastides du Rouergue includes four sites of major interest to tourists: Najac, Sauveterre, Villeneuve and Villefranche de Rouergue.

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VILLEFRANCHE DE ROUERGUE - Aveyron (12)

These four walled towns were begun in the 13th century, at a time of great enthusiasm for demographic development, which encouraged kings, bishops and local lords to reach an agreement to found new towns.

«New towns» of the Middle Ages, Najac, Sauveterre, Villeneuve and Villefranche are characteristic of the very innovative layout of bastides or walled towns. This layout alternates straight roads and blocks of houses of similar size, all arranged around a square where all the trading took place. Making exceptional architectural grouping, the four bastides du Rouergue are the living reflection of a unique urban adventure in the Occident of the Middle Ages. Each one has its originality, a colour, a soul, which make it both different from and complementary to its neighbour.

Najac stretches along a rocky ridge; the village of Villeneuve is placed under the protection of a Benedictine priory (Sauveté) whereas the walled towns of Sauveterre and Villefranche have adopted a regular or geometric layout. To see the whole original heritage of the bastides du Rouergue, follow the guided discovery tours on offer in summer. They vary from general visits, themed visits, nocturnal walks and visits with shows.

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