Tarn (81) and Aveyron (12)

Saint Dalmazy, where the church is located. is part of the larger Sévérac-le-Château, separated by the autoroute La Meridienne (A75). The church, having three aisles, was probably erected within the 12th century, but at that time the apse was different. The destruction of the old apse may have been caused by a landslide. It was reconstructed in the 16th century to the large apse seen today. The tower was added to the church in the 14th century. Unfortunately, Saint Dalmazy was locked.

As the 12th century church, dedicated to Saint Dalmazy, was locked, I had some time to look around and discovered these two different species of insects.

The church, dedicated to Saint Austremoine (aka Stremonius), who preached the Bible and Christianised the Auvergne in the very early days, lays in the midst of vineyards (AOC Marcillac). It still has a Romanesque transept and two side chapels (11th/12th century), nave, apse and bell tower were rebuilt in Gothic style in the 14th and 15th century. I had information about frescoes, Romanesque capitals and a 12th century crucifix, but the church was locked.

The church, dedicated to Saint Austremoine (aka Stremonius), who preached the Bible and Christianised the Auvergne in the very early days, lays in the midst of vineyards (AOC Marcillac). It still has a Romanesque transept and two side chapels (11th/12th century), nave, apse and bell tower were rebuilt in Gothic style in the 14th and 15th century. I had information about frescoes, Romanesque capitals and a 12th century crucifix, but the church was locked.

The church, dedicated to Saint Austremoine (aka Stremonius), who preached the Bible and Christianised the Auvergne in the very early days, lays in the midst of vineyards (AOC Marcillac). It still has a Romanesque transept and two side chapels (11th/12th century), nave, apse and bell tower were rebuilt in Gothic style in the 14th and 15th century. Near the portal stands this contemporary cross, that tells some strange stories of the local history.

Conques is one of the magical places, I cannot pass. Every time I am in the area, I just have to take the detour, stop and see it again. Over centuries Conques was a popular stop for all pilgrims travelling the Via Podiensis and it still is. It is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques in 2008 on my hike, that had started weeks before in Geneva. A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years. The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church, it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles.

Conques is one of the magical places, I cannot pass. Every time I am in the area, I just have to take the detour, stop and see it again. Over centuries Conques was a popular stop for all pilgrims travelling the Via Podiensis and it still is. It is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques in 2008 on my hike, that had started weeks before in Geneva. A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years. The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church, it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. Due to the limited space in the valley, the nave is very narrow, but extremely high.

Conques is one of the magical places, I cannot pass. Every time I am in the area, I just have to take the detour, stop and see it again. Over centuries Conques was a popular stop for all pilgrims travelling the Via Podiensis and it still is. It is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques in 2008 on my hike, that had started weeks before in Geneva. A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years. The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church, it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles.

Conques is one of the magical places, I cannot pass. Every time I am in the area, I just have to take the detour, stop and see it again. Over centuries Conques was a popular stop for all pilgrims travelling the Via Podiensis and it still is. It is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques in 2008 on my hike, that had started weeks before in Geneva. A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years. The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church, it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles.

Conques is one of the magical places, I cannot pass. Every time I am in the area, I just have to take the detour, stop and see it again. Over centuries Conques was a popular stop for all pilgrims travelling the Via Podiensis and it still is. It is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques in 2008 on my hike, that had started weeks before in Geneva. A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years. The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church, it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir. The "Prieuré des Prémontrés de Conques", located next to the church, offers accommodations to weary pelerins, a traditions followed here that is centuries old. After having had dinner all together, the pilgrims will have a prayer in the church, followed (mostly) by an organ concert during which they may circulate on the galleries. Later they will all gather in front of the church and listen to an introduction to the complex tympanum, given by one of the monks. In case a pelerin arrives with an ass, he can "park" the animal next to the apse.

Conques is one of the magical places, I cannot pass. Every time I am in the area, I just have to take the detour, stop and see it again. Over centuries Conques was a popular stop for all pilgrims travelling the Via Podiensis and it still is. It is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques in 2008 on my hike, that had started weeks before in Geneva. A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years. The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church, it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir. The "Prieuré des Prémontrés de Conques", located next to the church, offers accommodations to weary pelerins, this is tradition, that is centuries old. After having had dinner all together, the pilgrims will have a prayer in the church, followed (mostly) by an organ concert during which they may circulate on the galleries. Later they all will gather in front of the church and listen to an introduction to the complex tympanum, given by one of the monks.

Najac is set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. Najac was founded as one of the five bastides of (historic) Rouergue. The "faubourg" has the typical architecture of many bastide villages with timber-framed houses and commercial arcades around an open area. Today Najac only has a population of about 700, but over the summer months there are many tourists, as Najac is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" - the "most beautiful villages in France", And once a week the market is held in Narjac, even in rainy weather.

Najac is set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. Najac was founded as one of the five bastides of (historic) Rouergue. The "faubourg" has the typical architecture of many bastide villages with timber-framed houses and commercial arcades around an open area. Today Najac only has a population of about 700, but over the summer months there are many tourists, as Najac is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" - the "most beautiful villages in France", And once a week the market is held in Narjac, even in rainy weather. Here the customers find a great selection of hats and caps.

Najac is set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. Najac was founded as one of the five bastides of (historic) Rouergue. The "faubourg" has the typical architecture of many bastide villages with timber-framed houses and commercial arcades around an open area. Today Najac only has a population of about 700, but over the summer months there are many tourists, as Najac is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" - the "most beautiful villages in France",

Najac is set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. Najac was founded as one of the five bastides of (historic) Rouergue. The "faubourg" has the typical architecture of many bastide villages with timber-framed houses and commercial arcades around an open area. Today Najac only has a population of about 700, but over the summer months there are many tourists, as Najac is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" - the "most beautiful villages in France", The Château de Najac was built in 1253 on the orders of Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, on the site of an older castle, built in 1100. The Knights Templar were once imprisoned here. Possession of this castle, built 200 meters over the river Aveyron, was key to control of the region. After having been used as a stone quarry in the 19th century, the castle went into private ownership and by now is open to the public.

Najac is set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. Najac was founded as one of the five bastides of (historic) Rouergue. Today Najac only has a population of about 700, but over the summer months there are many tourists, as Najac is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" - the "most beautiful villages in France". The Château de Najac, here seen from the valley floor, was built in 1253 on the orders of Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, on the site of an older castle. The Knights Templar were once imprisoned here. Possession of this castle, built 200 meters over the river Aveyron, was key to control of the region.

Cayssac is a small hamlet that by now is part of La Loubière. When Ermengarde, countess of Rodez, in 1170 joined the Cistercian Order at the monastery of Nonenque, she donated her "villa" and its land in the Lioujas area to the monastery. Until the Revolution, the Church of Caysssac was linked to that of the monastic "grange" of Lioujas. About 300ha agricultural area belonged to that "grange". The first church was a single-nave building, erected in the late 12th and early 13th century. This church got altered and enlarged many times. The transept was added in the 15th and the choir in a kind of Renaissance style in the 16th century. During the Wars of Religion (1562-1698), the church of Cayssac got fortified, as the Huguenot war captains marauded the area around Rodez. Thus the bell tower got partly walled on the north side to protect itself, while the vaults served as refuges for villagers. Unfortunately the church was locked.

The 13th-century Château de Sévérac dominates the town. The mound of Sévérac has been occupied since prehistoric times. Later Visigoths had a fort here, that in 732 fell to the Saracens, but the Franks got it and Charlemagne made of Sévérac the seat of a viguerie. In 1214 during the Albigensian crusade, Sévérac was stormed by troops led by Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester and Viscount of Albi, Béziers and Carcassonne, who was feared for his ruthlessness and brutality.