The Lot & Aveyron

The Lot and Aveyron is a relatively unknown region, ideal for independent exploration on cycling holiday. The region roughly forms a triangle linking the Lot and Tarn river valleys with the spectacular Aveyron Gorges, is firmly part of the South and has a true Mediterranean feel.

It is a proud and ancient part of the country, a sun-soaked region of contrasts, where the ancient villages - capping stony hilltops, guarding awesome gorges or nestling in the meanders of quiet river valleys - are as remarkable for their historic interest as for their stunning natural settings.

Historically this area has been inhabited by man since earliest times and you'll come across evidence everywhere: dolmens on the causses, the celebrated caves at Pech'Merle, crumbling little cazelles (dry stone huts) which have served as homes and hiding places over the ages. Along your walking and cycling paths, you'll see France's finest turreted farmhouses, a wide variety of pigeonniers (dovecotes) and ancient old mills.

The mediaeval villages, châteaux and churches have a timelessness few other places offer too, as do the perfectly preserved bastide towns. Perched villages like St Cirq Lapopie and cliff-hanging Sauliac-sur-Célé are more spectacular than anything we have in Britain - the entrance to the Château des Anglais (fortified caves) is buried deep in the rock face. Najac is one of the prettiest towns in Europe. The main city, Albi, gave its name to the Cathars' 'Albigensian Heresy', which was wiped out in C15 in one of the bloodiest crusades ever. Today it is famous for the works of artist Toulouse-Lautrec (he was born here) and for the formidable Sainte Cecile Cathedral, built to frighten the defeated 'heretics' into accepting the power of the Catholic faith.