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This week (tomorrow in fact) I will be jetting of on a very special #InAveyron bloggers trip to the Aveyron in the Midi-Pyrénées region of south west France. The reason for my excitement? The Aveyron is home to the most “Most Beautiful Villages of France” than any other “départment” in the country – does anyone else have Prince playing in their head?
Our first stop after stepping on to French soil is Belcastel. Classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France, it is home to a medieval castle and church which houses the tomb of Alzias de SAUHNAC. The formidable remains of the château fort were discovered standing proudly on the vertiginous rocks that dominate the village’s houses. It was in 1974 that Fernand Pouillon, one of the greatest architects of his time, bought the château in ruins and immediately undertook its restoration.
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The next stop is Villefranche-de-Rouergue which was founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers, Count of Toulouse and younger brother to Louis IX. Although not strictly classified as a “Most Beautiful Villages of France”, it is still very attractive. The town was constructed on a grand scale typical of the time in a quadrille shape surrounding the main square – which was the centre of religious and public life. As you stroll through the bastide’s narrow streets, they will undoubtedly lead you to the central square – the heart of the town – a square lined by covered arcades characteristic of the bastides and by the enormous entrance porch of the Collegiate church. Every Thursday there is a wonderful market full of colours and smells.
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Conques is our next port of call, the epitome of Romanesque architecture and is the most “Most Beautiful Villages of France” in all of France, but aren’t they all? The abbey was one of the most important religious centres of the Middle Ages but fell into disrepair after the French Revolution. It was Prosper Mérimée that recognised what a gem the village was and initiated a long period of restoration which was finalised in the year 2,000. Part of this incorporated new stained glass windows in the abbey designed by local artist Pierre Soulages. The treasures on view here are truly astonishing in their beauty and reference.
Contributor: Alexandra Pinhorn
The Aveyron is part of the CRT Midi-Pyrénées which is a client of Magellan PR. Follow them on Twitter – @tourismemidipy and Facebook: Tourisme-en-Midi-Pyrénées. Aveyron Tourism is also on Twitter – @Tous_en_Aveyron / @Just_In_Aveyron and on Facebook: Tourisme Aveyron / Aveyron Tourism. Follow the bloggers thoughts and impressions on the hashtag #InAveryon.
Magellan PR is on twitter: @MagellanPR / on Facebook: MagellanPR / on Pinterest: Sue Lowry / on Google+: Sue Lowry & MagellanPR and on Flickr: Sue Lowry. For more information on our company, visit www.magellan-pr.com. Follow our other blog focussing on travel in the South of England – A3 Traveller.
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