: Rodez

Rodez is the capital of the Rouergue region and the prefecture of the Aveyron department, perched on a hill in the southern Massif Central. The city is dominated by the massive Cathédrale Notre-Dame, one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in southern France. Rodez is the birthplace of the sculptor Pierre Soulages, and the modern Musée Soulages is a major destination.

Rodez has a railway station with TER trains from Toulouse (about 2 hours). Rodez-Aveyron Airport has flights from several European cities. By car, the A75 and N88 intersect.

The historic centre around the cathedral and Place d'Armes is compact and walkable. A local bus network covers the city.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame with flamboyant Gothic facade and belfry. The Musée Soulages (abstract painter). The old town with half-timbered houses. The Fenaille Museum (prehistoric statue-menhirs).

The Saturday market around the cathedral is one of the largest in the region. The Festival des Bastides et du Rouergue. Hiking in the Aveyron.

Rouergue cuisine: aligot, truffade, tripoux, Aubrac beef. Roquefort.

Marcillac (robust red). Entraygues-Le Fel. Craft beer. Pastis and Armagnac.

Hotels in the centre and near the station. Chambres d'hôtes and gîtes in Aveyron countryside.

Roquefort, Laguiole cheese, aligot, tripoux, Aubrac beef. Laguiole knives.

Conques and its abbey (40 km). Gorges du Tarn and Millau viaduct (80 km). The Aubrac plateau. Albi.