An exceptional classico

Points of interest: passing through remarkable, charming villages with beautiful stonework

Starting north of Millau and accessing the A75 freeway. Stop at the Millau Viaduct viewing area.
Guided tour of the Sentier des Explorateurs, Viaduc de Millau: Follow the guide as close as possible to the Viaduct! Discover all the secrets of this extraordinary structure. All phases of construction will be explained to you. Enjoy an exclusive view from the heart of the Viaduct!

Continue on to the Millau Viaduct.

Stop at La Cavalerie, cité Templière et Hospitalière du Larzac, a village founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century and fortified by the Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old village, lined with stalls, mansions and Caussenard houses, then from the 220-meter high rampart walkway (access to ramparts at an additional cost): breathtaking views over the expanses of the Causse du Larzac.

Typically regional lunch break at an inn in the heart of the Causse du Larzac.

Guided tour of La Couvertoirade, listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, testimony to the presence of the Templars and Hospitallers. This listed and protected village, built at the foot of the 12th-century Templar castle and church, was fortified in the 15th century, and has been admirably preserved. Along the narrow streets lined with Caussenard houses and private mansions, stalls and art galleries invite you to relax. The tour includes access to the ramparts, which offer a 360° view over the expanse of the Grands Causses.

Return to Millau witha panoramic view of the town and its famous Viaduct in the background.
Return to your hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Points of interest: guided discovery of Aven Armand

Departure via the upper Tarn valley, Le Rozier at the confluence of the Tarn and La Jonte rivers.
The Gorges de La Jonte – located in the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses, on the borders of the Parc National des Cévennes, labelled “Grand Site de France“, wedged between the Causse Méjean and the Causse Noir, the Jonte gorges are wild and dotted with numerous curiosities. They are the birthplace of the reintroduction of several species of vulture.

Guided tour of the Maison des Vautours, a must-see stop in the Jonte Gorges. Observation of vultures in their natural habitat, discovery of the site of the reintroduction of the different species, discovery of their environment and their fabulous history.

Continuation to Meyrueis, and ascent to the Causse Méjean.
Guided discovery of the Aven Armand which takes you more than 100 meters underground after a funicular descent allowing the easiest access. A unique and magical place, passionate guides will help you admire, thanks to a lighting scheme with changing effects, the Forêt Vierge and its 400 stalagmites unique in the world.

Lunch in the heart of the Causse Méjean with a typical Caussenard menu.

Cross the Causse Méjean and descend to Sainte-Enimie, a small medieval town ranked among the “Most beautiful villages in France”.
Continuing into the Gorges du Tarn via the cirques of Saint Chély and Pougnadoires, the Château de la Caze, La Malène, the Détroits.
Stop at the Pas de Soucy where the Tarn disappears beneath a gigantic rockslide.

Arrive in Millau late afternoon.
Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation.

Points of interest: Discover Europe’s largest rocky chaos by miniature train

Guided tour of the workshops at the Maison Fabre. Demonstration of the various stages in the manufacture of a glove.
Based on know-how developed and preserved over several decades, the glove-making workshop created in 1924 by Etienne Fabre, entered squarely, in the early 2000s, the very closed circle of artisans of luxury and fashion.
Access to the boutique with a wide selection of gloves at manufacturer’s prices and sales of leather goods, skin garments and leather accessories MILLAU,
“Ville d’Art et d’Histoire”

Continue your discovery of Millau in the heart of the old town …
Let us tell you about Roman times, when sigillated pottery from the Graufesenque was exported as far away as Pompeii, then about the excellence of its glove-making tradition and its megisserie, which made it prosperous.
Free time in Millau’s historic center.

Pass through the weekly market, Place Foch.
The gourmet showcase of a territory, the market is a must-see for Aveyron locals. Under the multicolored canvases, strolls and anecdotes of the week are in full swing.

Continuing on the Causse Noir via the famous Côte de Longuiers offering magnificent views of Millau and its viaduct.
Breakfast in the heart of the Causse Noir – in a country setting, 1km from the site of La Cité de Pierres – Montpellier-le-Vieux, the inn offers many home-made products.

Discover by little train the Cité de Pierres – Chaos rocheux de Montpellier-le-Vieux in the heart of the Causse Noir. An unusual universe of strangely shaped rocks sculpted by water, wind and time.
Continue through the Gorges de la Dourbie and its picturesque villages and return late afternoon to Millau.

Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation.

Points of interest: Caves de Roquefort

Departure via the Vallée du Tarn and free stop at Peyre, a troglodytic village classified as one of the “Plus beaux villages de France”.
This astonishing village nestled in a bend in the Tarn offers a remarkable collection of stone houses and calade alleyways, a troglodytic and fortified Romanesque church, all with an exceptional view of the Millau Viaduct.

Then discover the Caves de Roquefort where all the processes involved in making and maturing the most famous of cheeses will be explained to you. Enjoy a tasting session at the end of the tour.

Lunch nearby. Traditional cuisine inside a former cellar, a magnificent vaulted room with ancient stonework.

Continue along the water with the Bateliers du Viaduc. Your boatman takes you on a 9 km adventure full of surprises!
A beaver lodge, a grey heron takeoff, shivering rapids, and here you are under the two highest piers in the world for a breathtaking and exclusive view under the Millau Viaduct. Peyre greets you at the end.

Dinner and a typical Aveyron end-of-stay evening hosted by the folk group Lo Gantieirelo, “La Petite Gantière” in Occitan. Composed of dancers and musicians, all dressed in authentic costumes in shimmering colors, vibrate and eat in the colors of Aveyron for a festive end to your stay!!