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Rodez is a beautiful and rather ignored medieval town located in the Midi-Pyrénées' Aveyron region in southwestern France. Despite being a regional capital, Rodez is largely quiet and lacking in large tourist numbers. It hasn't always been ignored: the surrounding countryside is dotted with stone monuments and rich architecture including dolmen tombs, menhirs, fortresses, abbeys, fortified castles and churches. The Romans settled in Aveyron as early as the 1st century BC and the road which linked Rodez to the city of Millau was originally a grand causeway of villas and Roman estates. In the early Middle Ages the Knights Templar took up residence here but the town was actually sold off to partially finance the first crusade. Rodez is built high above the river Aveyron and is dominated by the 13th to 16th century red sandstone Cathedrale Notre Dame, one of the first Gothic buildings in Southern France and a French architectural icon.
The two main town squares, Place de la Cite and Place du Bourg are linked by a network of medieval streets lined with stone buildings, historical alleyways and masterpieces of Gothic wall art dating from the 12th to 16th centuries. Other interesting sites are the 17th century Episcopal Palace flanked by a massive tower and relics of an older palace; the Romanesque church of St Amans; and the Renaissance hotel built on the site of a former count's palace. The ruins of a Roman amphitheatre and a Roman aqueduct are still visible.
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Getting There
By Air: There is a small regional airport in Rodez, but the larger airports of Avignon or Toulouse attract more flights. Air France (www.airfrance.com) flies from Paris to Rodez three times daily or twice daily from Lyon. From London, RyanAir (www.ryanair.com) flies once daily to Rodez and twice daily from Dublin. Air France flies five times daily to Paris from New York, twice from Los Angeles and once daily from Chicago.
By Land: Alternatively, fly to Paris and catch the TGV Train (www.sncf.fr) down to Rodez via Toulouse (approximately eight hours).
Required Documents: U.S. citizens do not require a visa for France -- only a valid passport.
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Where to Stay
The historic Hostellerie Fontages (tel. +33/5-6577-7600; www.hostellerie-fontanges.com/eng/index-eng.php3) is a 16th century chateau located in the village of Onet-le-Chateau, just outside Rodez. Price: Inexpensive.
The three-star Hotel Tour Maje (tel. +33/5- 6568-3468; www.hotel-tour-maje.fr) is housed in a medieval building in the city center. Price: Inexpensive.
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