Sweet French Cottages - Vacation Rentals in Southwest France

Entraygues-sur-Truyere

The "Most Beautiful Villages in France" is a prestigious club of 148 villages throughout France that have been chosen for their character, their heritage and the desire of their inhabitants to protect their unique history and architecture. With 10 members of this elite club, the Aveyron boasts more of “The Most Beautiful Villages in France” than any other department.

Our region also includes the spiritual footpath of the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage trail. Pilgrims have been traveling (and continue to travel) from Le Puys, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. There is also The Route of the Lords of Rouergue with 24 chateaux dotting the journey. Also this land holds dear the heritage of the Knights Templar and the Hospitaller.

There are five of “The Most Beautiful Villages in France” within an hour from our cottages including…

ESTAING, a gorgeous riverside village with narrow streets and ancient architecture, and includes a castle, an 11th c. fortress and a 15th c. church. Its premiere restaurant, Aux Armes d’Estaing, is named after the family who has occupied the castle for five hundred years and is presently owned by the former President of France, M. Valery Giscard d’Estaing. Also on the pilgrims’ route.

CONQUES, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a magnificently preserved village containing the famous Sainte-Foy Abbey Church, protector of the treasures of Sainte Foy for more than 12 centuries. Also on the pilgrims’ route.

SAINTE-EULALIE d’OLT is a land of traditions with a charming medieval village square, an 11th c. church and a 15th c. chateau.

SAINT-COME-d’OLT is one of the Hospitaller villages with a fortified gateway and impressive mansions. It’s a village little changed in centuries, and is also on the pilgrims’ route.

BELCASTEL is on the banks of the River Aveyron and is postcard perfect with an 11th c. castle, a 13th bridge and 15th c. church.

Other nearby enchanting villages include…

ENTRAYGUES, with its riverside streets and attractive houses, is a charming medieval village with its own walking tour. The village lies right in the angle of the junction of the River Lot with the equally beautiful River Truyere.

ESPALION features great shopping, restaurants, a bustling Farmer’s Market, galleried and balconied old houses (once used as tanneries) that hang over the river near the gorgeous medieval bridge with a restored Chateau dating from 1572.

LAGUIOLE has been made famous by the tradition of creating Laguiole knives since 1829 and more recently, the Michelin three star restaurant, Michel Bras, designed by Philippe Starck and rated among the 10 best restaurants in the world.

BOZOULS is a geological and geomorphic site, 400 m. wide and 100 m. deep with Sainte Fauste, a 12 c. church and a botanical walk along the Dourdou gorges as well as numerous waterfalls.

MARCILLAC is known for its wine and the village is lovely with its red stone houses and charming Farmer’s Market.

ROQUEFORT is world famous for its signature cheese and offers cellar and cave tours.

MILLAU occupies a beautiful site in a bend of the River Tarn where it meets with the River Dourbie. It's enclosed on all sides by impressive white cliffs and is also the site of the Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge in the world.

LE FEL is a charming mountaintop wine-producing hamlet that dates back to the 16th century. Le Fel is home of the premiere European center for ceramic art, Poterie du Don. “Le Don du Fel” is a superb contemporary architectural achievement, featuring major ceramic artists, in a museum-quality setting.

VIEILLEVIE is a quaint riverside village located on the border of the Aveyron and Cantal departments. The village dates back 1,000 years and retains vineyards planted by monks in the 9^th century. Its centerpieceis the 13^th century Castle that dominates the village.

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