Millau - Aveyron
Aveyron
The
Aveyron is a land of 1400m high mountains, green pastures,
forests, stone built villages of character, rivers and steep sided
gorges. It is a land of gastronomic repute, and
many cultural sites. Unfortunately it lies on the routes south to the
sun, and not many people stop to sample its delights, and that in itself
is one of the pleasures of the Aveyron.
The
Dolmens of the Aveyron
In the region of
the Aveyron, there are more than 800 Dolmens.
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The word Dolmen comes from the
Breton (
Brittany
) language. “Dol” signifying “table” and “men” meaning a
“stone”. They were built as funeral chambers, and almost always
closed on the west side, but open on the east to enable further burials.
Many dolmens have been destroyed by the weather and farming, but many
objects found in their vicinity are housed in a Museum at Rouergue and
also at Severac le Chateau.
A 40 mile circuit
can be followed to view some of the remaining dolmens by leaving Severac
le Chateau in the direction of Rodez on the N88 road, and after 5 kms
follow the D96 on the right, and follow the signs.
MILLAU
A
busy town, located at the confluence of the Tarn, and Dourbie
rivers. Millau lies at the
centre of the wild region south of the
Auvergne
- a region of semi-barren limestone plateau (causses), and dramatic
gorges. Here the warmth of the Midi is chilled by the winds from the
Massif Central
.
Thousands of ewes graze
on the meagre grass of the causses; their milk goes to Roquefort sur
Soulzon, south of Millau, to make the famous cheese, and their Iambs go
to Millau to provide skins for its famous glove industry which goes back
to the 12th-c.
In Gallo-Roman times
the town (Emilium Castrum) was widely known for pottery
made at La Graufesenque, just south of the town, and examples of it have
been excavated at sites as far apart as
Pompeii
and
Scotland.
This major Roman site supplied most
of the best pottery right across the Roman Empire for 150 years. It was
not in the centre of the town, but sat on the right bank of the River
Tarn half a mile away.
These local industries of ancient pottery-making, and the more recent
glove-making, are well illustrated in the town's museum in the arcaded
Place du Marechal Foch. It is here, in the centre of the old town, where
the most interesting buildings are to be found.
In the 1st century AD, there was a
settlement on the spot, identified as Condatomagus, which was the major
earthenware centre in the Roman Empire. Today, despite major new
developments, few remains of the old Roman and medieval town have been
discovered.
In the Middle Ages, the town had one of
the major mediaeval bridges across the River Tarn, with 17 spans. If it were
still standing, it would be a major monument, but one poorly maintained span,
fell, in the 18th century, and so the bridge was mostly demolished. Just one
span remains, supporting a water mill, now an art gallery, as testament to this
significant trading route from north to south.
Millau is also the main centre in France
for paragliding, and throughout the year hang gliders can be
seen soaring over the town.
Millau is a popular
town for exploring the gorges of the two rivers that meet here.
MILLAU - Tourist Office
The Gorges du Tarn is
reached by driving north on the N9, and then turning east on the D107.
The Gorges du Tarn is well signposted.
For the Gorges du Dourbie take the picturesque road, which follows the twists and turns of
the river and ravines as far as Nant.
Numerous wild vulture can be seen flying over the Jonte Gorges. A
colony of 180 vultures live in total freedom on the Corniches of the
Méjean. You can observe them
and learn about them at the Vulture Viewing Point (Belvédère
des Vautours).
2004
: opening of the Millau Viaduct
The A75 Autoroute
represents an alternative to the
Rhone
valley route that was close to saturation. The Millau viaduct and the 40
additional kilometres of the A75 was opened to traffic for the Christmas
holidays. Of vital importance to the region, the viaduct will do away
with the infamous Millau bottleneck, saving thirty minutes under normal
circumstances, and up to four hours on certain weekends in the summer.
Of national and
international significance, the viaduct is thought to be equal, as a
tourist attraction, to the
Eiffel
Tower.
Severac le Chateau
Severac le Chateau
has been occupied by man since prehistoric times. Today it is dominated
by it’s chateau at an altitude 817meters, that offers a superb
panoramic view of the surrounding country, and the ancient town. The old
town was surrounded by ramparts, and four fortified
gates, two of which survive to this day. The Chateau is used frequently
for festivals, and occasionally the villagers dress in the costume of the
period, and meals are served in the old banqueting hall.
The castle
belonged to several families: The Séverac, the Armagnac, then the Arpajon
families. The
latter constructed the current Renaissance façade, walls, watch towers, chapel,
and kitchens,
Sévérac was
first mentioned in 883: in the name of Severiacum (property of Severus,
probably an important landowner of the era). Sévérac was the seat of a
viguerie (viguier: delegated by the lord for the administration of justice and
management of the domain)
In 1003:
Mistletoe 1st probably founded a Benedictine convent, and the Holy Saviour
church.
1214:
Déodat of Caylus, cathare and lord of Sévérac, surrenders to Simon de Montfort
(during the Albigensian crusade )
1270:
Before leaving for the crusade, Mistletoe IV grants easing of taxes to the
inhabitants of Sévérac.
1418-1422:
Amaury of Sévérac (1365-1427), Marshal of France, baron of Sévérac, creates the
Fairs of Laissac and Sévérac, and reconstituted the Roman fountain in the
Medieval City. |
