Pure and Simple Escapism A Region of many faces An exceptional heritage under the protection of their Lord grouped Off the beaten track Ecotourism welcoming region where memories of the together at the base of his château and past mingle and become enriched by new D’evasions puras que non sai Un país amb tantas caras from the past defended by a curtain wall-were developed in Something to do and Biodiversity experiences. Following the example of the Un eiretatge excepcional del passat parallel around the same time. These ancient for everyone ! Patrimoni natural nearby Midi-Pyrenees with its many festivals, castra are still visible today. The development The Midi Quercy region, born of a voluntary The -et- which was the last of the Natura prigonda - D’activitats per totes ! Midi-Quercy now also offers many festivals French départements to be created (1808), is of the village of at the foot of coming-together of four districts from the east The Midi-Quercy also In the communes of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, and shows throughout the year, from the of the Tarn-et-Garonne, draws its strength in fact made up of territory from surrounding the château is a good example, even if the Cazals, Bruniquel, Penne et Puycelsi, a Natura Bruniquel châteaux lyric festival, dedicated départements. This administrative has huge historical ramparts themselves are long gone. from a variety of complementary and architectural 2000 zone has been designated, called to Offenbach, to the Summer hat festival realignment helps to explain the mosaic of In fact the growth of the bastides constituted at and , not to mention factors : the soft green slopes of the richness. There « Gorges of , nearby and natural landscapes that go to make up the the high point of these clearances in the 13th Quercy Vert, alluvial plains of the valley are many remains the valley of the Vère » and it stretches over the Lenga Viva occitan festival of Laguépie, Midi-Quercy. century and anticipated the land use we still and terraces of the Aveyron, Gorges carved attesting to human 28 800 acres. In fact Natura 2000 is a European Samba al Pais at Nègrepelisse and the Indeed this diversity even shows in the names recognise today. Bastides were in fact the Winter Documentary Festival. Other cultural out of the chalk and the flat farmland occupation as network of natural regions that have been that make up the Community of Communes : result of agreements between the religious initiatives are taking Midi-Quercy towards new far back as the identified for the quality, rarity or delicate of the Quercy Rouergue and the Gorges of Quercy and the Causse in the « Quercy of authority that provided the land and the horizons with the O Babeltut Association Paleolithic. Then balance of their flora and fauna and natural the Aveyron, the rolling farmland of the Caussade », Quercy and Rouergue in « Quercy temporal power that organised their setting- from about 1 000 AD, habitats. This biodiversity of course needs to and its cultural transport as well as exploring slopes of Bas-Quercy, the dry and stony Rouergue », the Aveyron plain and terraces up. The Midi-Quercy region has eleven the region saw many be preserved for future generations, despite other creative themes with The Art and grasslands of the limestone plateaux of the in « Aveyron terraces and valley» and Wooded bastides whose principal characteristics are the presence in these areas of a wide range of abbeys, churches Design Centre, La Cuisine, situated in the Lot and the wetter valleys of the Caussade Quercy in « Quercy Vert ». still in evidence amongst which are those of human activity. commune of Nègrepelisse. and châteaux built region of Quercy. This diversity of landscapes Molières, Réalville and Verfeil-sur-Seye… Whether on foot, on mountain bike or on In this site, which is rich in 11 habitats and 16 Midi-Quercy is blessed with an exceptional and the mediaeval urban revolution has left Lute makers, ironworkers, potters and demonstrates a variety of soil structures which horseback, you will find yourself in harmony species of special interest, a code of practice biodiversity linked to lots of differing us a lot of very well preserved bastides. In with your surroundings. And whatever your ceramicists, glass blowers, sculptors and has been introduced by those responsible for in turn explain the range of architectural climatic influences and a variety of fact, there are in all more than 80 sites and physical shape, your age or tastes, you will painters; the artists and craftsmen of the tourist development. In effect this involves a materials and their related trades : geological soil-formations (shale, sandstone, monuments on the supplementary list and never fail to find an activity to tempt you in Midi-Quercy open their studios, delight unbaked earth and terra cotta on the chalk, alluvial deposits and molasse). And 23 listed sites which history has bequeathed Midi-Quercy ! As a rambler you’ll find a lively moral contract between the voluntary tourist in putting on exhibitions and sharing their one hand, and coursed and uncoursed it’s first and foremost from these soils and to the Midi-Quercy region. rural region, rich in architecture and history. agencies who have committed to being bound passions often through unusual or spectacular by a series of recommendations which aim events when their creative magic takes over. stone on the other... sub-soils that our Midi Quercy landscapes « Caves and dolmens » A hundred or so paths for ramblers and Man continues to forge his identity in this are formed. They condition our agricultural hikers are maintained and signposted to preserve this natural environment. The first traces of man date from 350 000 You too, visitors to the Gorges of Aveyron, region of confluences and comings-together, development, provide the raw materials for according to the rules established by the BC though this human occupation is hardly join with those of us who are charged with where his presence has been favoured since our vernacular architecture (from which we French Ramblers Association for crossing the get the large regional palette of colours and visible in the landscape of today. looking after the preservation of this site Une palette de saveurs pre-history. Historical events have left their Midi-Quercy region (Intercommunal guides materials : (unbaked earth, brick, stone) and Midi-Quercy contains several dolmens and the guide for GR paths « Midi-Quercy on on a daily basis ! (Chart and list of signatories traces everywhere in the landscape and their A whole range of largely help explain our ecological diversity. dating principally from the height of the foot » for sale in tourist offices. In addition,the available on the internet site of the Midi- influence can still be appreciated today. Bronze Age. Nearly a hundred of these site VTT-FFC « Aveyron » is distributed Quercy : www.midi-quercy.fr and in the Tourist colourful flavours ! Fortified mediaeval villages, bastides burial monuments have been recorded across the sectors of St-Antonin-Noble-Val and Offices). Una paleta de sabors acolorida and ruined châteaux ; all serve to show in 17 communes including Saint-Antonin- Laguépie/ and labelled by the French how men lived their lives, as do the countless Noble-Val where you can see a rare example Cycling Federation who offer selected routes of A traditional building type As a reflection of the landscapes of Midi- smaller elements that make up our rural of stacked dolmens that have been restored various degrees of difficulty (2 guides available (Dolmens du Pech) as well as at Septfonds Una bastenda tradicionala tipica in the tourist offices of the region). Finally, Quercy, our local gastronomy is at once heritage ; the tiny farms, the dovecotes both generous and varied. (known as pigeonniers), the wells and public (Dolmen de Finelle). the cycling route « Gorges of Aveyron » links to Laguépie and allows you From the slopes where the sun bathes the washing places; all continuing witnesses to Local resources and available materials to explore the sites and landscapes of Midi- vines and melons and plums ripen, to the (earth, stone, pebbles), contribute also to the country life here in the past. This diversity, this Quercy through a 80km long signposted nourishing plateaux from which our sheep and identity of various regions of the Midi-Quercy, heritage both natural and cultural, makes of itinerary. cattle derive all their flavour : a huge range of the Midi-Quercy today a place of inspiration through its differing styles of vernacular tasty products are there to welcome and architecture. for creative people and a source of discovery surprise you ! To the East of la Bonnette, the ancient In fact the heritage of the past, confers an for all. The Midi-Quercy region is committed to a province of Rouergue is a region of stone and expertise, a savoir-faire, on this land where sustainable form of tourist development and rolling farmland where roofs in both tile and our first concern is always with quality. allies itself with the aims of the CPIE Midi- With the flavour of truffles, of saffron or slate progress towards the . Quercy by training and creating awareness The Causse, between the valleys of la of chestnuts, our farmers, chefs, butchers of its progressive principles and solutions for and caterers are just waiting to serve up Bonnette and the Lère, is characterised by those involved in tourism. wide horizons, a landscape bleached by their lovingly prepared local « Midi-quercy » specialities for you. chalk outcrops and drystone walls and a « In the steps of the Templars » distinctive flora that includes scrub oak and The Knights Templars up to to the time of Ancient Savoir-faire and From village to village, street markets display juniper. A succession of hills and valleys their arrest in 1307 played an important role creativity today every imaginable flavour : why not let characterise the Slopes of Monclar and th yourself be seduced or even try creating your in the development of the region in the 12 If you fancy hanging on rocky cliffs with your Saupre-far ancian e creacion contemporanèa of Quercy in which vineyards, orchards, and 13th centuries and especially around head in the clouds or searching for secrets own menus ? Salade Quercynoise or barbecued duck kebabs woods, plains alternate with farmed land , where the ramparts, keep and buried deep in the earth, professionals are with prunes frequently bordered by hedges. church of St-Pierre still bear the marks of available to help you try your hand at rock Omelette aux cèpes or Pan fried foie gras The Gorges of Aveyron, rich and varied, have a flourishing commandery on their walls. climbing, free flight or pot-holing whether with grapes pasture, land in cultivation and the tops of Those who are interested can see other very it’s for the thrill, the pleasure of the sport or steep cliffs that often surprise the casual visitor fine Templar commanderies such as those of simply for pure enjoyment. Cabécou or Rocamadour goats cheese Croustade aux Pommes or Massepain exploring their wooded slopes before their Lacapelle-Livron and the château of Cas at A landscape forged by water : try a descent steep descent to a wide and peaceful valley Wine from the Coteaux du Quercy or the . by Canoe-kayak (guide available in the Tourist punctuated with fruit trees. Office in Saint-Antonin), fishing or bathing… terraces of Montauban, whatever takes your « Châteaux and Bastides » Water activities are much in evidence here. fancy ! After the appearance of the first parishes (information from the tourist offices and around the year 1 000, the development of information centres). the area in the 12th and 13th centuries was In discovering Quercy, the Rouergue, the also linked to the establishment of religious Albigeois and the Agenais, Midi-Quercy orders whose development accelerated land you will find a region of convergences, of clearances. The Cistercian Abbey of Notre comings-together. Geological diversity, varied Dame de Beaulieu is a beautiful example of landscapes, multiple climatic influences, convent architecture. The castra - settlements changing light patterns, soft colours or intense, bold ones, Midi-Quercy is a CAHORS 15 Lalbenque ST-CIRQ-LAPOPIE 20 VILLEFRANCHE- DE-ROUERGUE D19 20 D171 74 23 D22 A20 Château of Saint-Projet © ADT 82 Castelnau- D19 N20 D42 1 Montratier L’Aveyron The Collegial church at Montpezat- D97 de-Quercy - © ADT 82 D85 Lacapelle- Livron Montpezat- D926 D19 de-Quercy Parisot D659 22 M 18 1 D922 Château of St-Martin- 2 Laguépie Caylus © C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com D38 Beaulieu D20 Najac M 17 D17 2 Molières D926 Gorges Notre-Dame de Saux , near 15 16 de l’Aveyron Montpezat-de-Quercy Espinas © SMPMQ 14 Monteils D33 Verfeil 19 Septfonds Saint-Antonin- M D5 D958 Noble-Val Varen Offices de Tourisme [email protected] Caussade 3 21 Bruniquel (82800) www.saint-antonin-noble-val.com 4 5 SNCF M 10 11 20 Laguépie Promenade du Ravelin Syndicats d’initiative Mountain bike circuits marked Tél./Fax 05 63 67 29 84 ouverts en saison 12 22 FFC-VTT, Laguépie and [email protected] N20 St-Antonin-Noble-Val Espinas (82440) D64 D115 www.bruniquel.fr Tél. Mairie 05 63 30 64 72 15 D964 13 21 © C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com www.cc-terrasses-vallee-aveyron.fr Fax 05 63 30 67 03 D959 Réalville Caussade (82300) [email protected] 3 46 Bv Didier Rey - Tél. 05 63 26 04 04 Cazals Réalville-Mirabel- (82440) The Finelle Dolmen, Septfonds L’Aveyron D19 [email protected] Esplanade Raymond Laurent www.mairie-caussade.fr © J.M Labarta D958 Tél. Mairie 05 63 31 01 41 23 Caylus (82160) Fax 05 63 31 15 59 Gorges 20 Rue droite - Tél. 05 63 67 00 28 Bioule [email protected] Septfonds (82240) de l’Aveyron www.caylus.com Place du Général de Gaulle Montricoux D600 Laguépie (82250) Tél. 05 63 64 99 72 D922 Documentaliste 05 63 31 26 36 D91 Place du Foirail M Penne [email protected] D927 Nègrepelisse D115 Tél./Fax 05 63 30 20 34 www.septfonds.com 7 [email protected] Le Tarn M 6 www.laguepie-en-rouergue.fr Varen (82440) N20 Cordes Monclar-de-Quercy (82230) Place de l’Eglise Tél. 05 63 65 45 09 Place des Capitouls Bruniquel Fax 05 63 65 49 40 D600 20 Tél. 05 63 30 31 72 Saint-Etienne- [email protected] MOISSAC D115 Fax 05 63 30 55 87 www.varen.fr de-Tulmont 8 M The Doyenné of Varen [email protected] Verfeil-sur-Seye (82330) © C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com www.monclardequercy.com 28 ALBI 20 Montpezat-de-Quercy (82270) Rue principale D958 Tél. 05 63 65 46 81 (Bibliothèque) 4 Bd des Fossés [email protected] D15 Tél./Fax 05 63 02 05 55 The Arlet tower, Caussade D964 contact@tourisme-montpezat- Points d’information D922 de-quercy.com touristique (juillet/août) © OT de Caussade Montauban D35 www.tourisme-montpezat-de- Albias (82350) Tél. 05 63 28 00 29 quercy.com Montricoux (82800) D8 Genebrières Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (82140) A20 Tél. 05 63 67 29 84 D928 Place de la Halle Parisot (82160) Tél. 05 63 30 63 47 Le bourg - médiathèque La Salvetat- Puycelsi 19 Fax 05 63 30 66 33 Tél. 05 63 67 00 28 AUCH 86 D999 Belmontet The gardens of Quercy, Verfeil-Sur-Seye - © A. Herreman Office de tourisme - Syndicat d’initiative 5 TOULOUSE 50 Monclar-de-Quercy Patrimoine religieux BLAGNAC Hat manufacture and Château Castelnau- 1 exhibition, Caussade Sites 9 de-Montmiral M Musée numérotés © SMPMQ GAILLAC 5 illustrés D36 Préhistoire, dolmen ou grotte N ALBI 52 Activité de pleine nature 0 5 10 km Base de loisirs - baignade surveillée (eaux vives, lacs ou piscine) 6 Station verte de vacances La Cuisine, a centre for innovation, art et 18 Plus beau village de design, as applied to food, Nègrepelisse The Parisot leisure park © La Cuisine Aire de service camping car - Stationnement © ADT 82 Station essence Carte bleu Site Natura 2000 « Gorges de l’Aveyron, causses proches et vallée de la Vère » Itinéraire véloroute Document réalisé en collaboration avec les Offices de Tourisme et Syndicats d’initiative du Pays Midi-Quercy - Crédits photo : ADT 82, CRT D. Viet, SMPMQ, OTP de Caylus, OT de Caussade, OT de Monclar, Quercy Vert et pays Monclarais, 10 12 16 C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com, Association culturelle de Beaulieu, Inventaire général 7 8 9 11 13 14 15 17 du patrimoine - Pays Midi-Quercy, Région Midi-Pyrénées, CC Terrasses et Vallée The Romanesque house, Climbing in the Aveyron Zadkine’s sculpture of Christ, de l’Aveyron, J.M Labarta, La Cuisine, Patrick Petit, G. Hoel - Conception : Biljara. The Marcel Lenoir museum, Montricoux The little train at Monclar-de-Quercy - © OT The Aveyron gorges, near St-Antonin- Canoeing The House of the Wolves, The Cistercian Abbey at Beaulieu, com Impression/ fabrication : Techniprint Imprimerie (imprim’vert) The two châteaux in Bruniquel - © CC TVA St-Antonin-Noble-Val Gorges The Château of Cas, Espinas - © SMPMQ Caylus church © SMPMQ de Monclar, Quercy vert et Pays Monclarais © C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com Noble-Val - © C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com © C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com © C. Pélaprat/Biljara.com Caylus - © SMPMQ © OTP de Caylus - © Ass. cult. de Beaulieu