Great Things to See & Do in the Area
There is so such to see and do in and around this beautiful region. With stunning countryside, the Aveyron River nearby, quiet lanes, small pretty villages in abundance it is an ideal to get out and about and explore. Head out on foot or take a bike (mountain bikes, road bikes or try an e-bike) and find out some wonderful trails.
Further afield you can visit the spectacular Millau Viaduct, view the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec museum in Albi or go on a wine tasting tour at one of the famous French wine producers.
For activities in and around La Sérénité see: www.tourisme-aveyron.com-najac-activities
For other activities in and around the Aveyron region visit the Tourisme Aveyron website and click on 'What to Do' or 'Discover'
See & Do
Najac: This pretty little bastide village is set on a long ridge above the Aveyron. It has one main street with little shops and restaurants leading up to the Chateau de Najac.
Villefranche-de-Rouergue: The old narrow streets take you to the old market square, the heart of this old bastide town. Thursday is market day and buzzing but you can also enjoy one of the many little cafés, restaurants & traditional shops.
Gentle Walk from La Sérénité - A lovely shortish circular walk down the lanes to an old disused medieval road through the woods. Try out one of the local bars, sit and watch the world go gently by and then wander back to the house.
Explore the Aveyron River Gorges - Hire a bike or walk the wonderful gorges and secret beaches of the Aveyron River. There are many marked trails for walkers and mountain bikers including shady tow paths and quiet lanes. You can also take the little single-track railway from Najac.
Check out the Local Chateaux - There are many lovely old chateaux and ancient sites to visit, including the beautiful old village of Belcastel near Rodez. The Chateau du Mauriac is a absolute must.
View the Spectacular Millau Bridge - Designed by famed architect Norman Foster the world's highest and spectacular viaduct at Millau carries the A75 motorway to the Mediterranean. This incredible feat of engineering crosses the gorge valley of the Tarn and is well worth a visit.
Local Bastides Towns & Villages - In addition to Najac, there are other lovely old bastide towns within a 40-minutes of La Sérénité. Visit Villeneuve, Cordes sur Ciel, Sauveterre and others. Explore the narrow streets, peruse the little shops, galleries and lunch in one of the many little cafes.
Take a Wine Tasting Tour - From Gascony to Languedoc, from Cahors-Malbec to the terraces of Marcillac near Rodez, this is the largest wine region in France to explore! Check out the great range of aromatic wines of the Occitania
Visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Paintings - This famed museum is dedicated the artist Lautrec, in Albi, his home town. It is a lovely city for a day out with plenty to see and do. The old cathedral of Saint Cecile is quite magnificent.
Go Skiing & Tobogganing - For great family fun all year round try Cap’Découverte, only 45 minutes away. This old converted coal mine offers a dry ski slope with cable cars, zip-lining, tobogganing, mountain biking, luge, roller-balling, skating, mini-karting and more.
Sports & Leisure:
For the active and adventurous there is much to do. To find out what to do, where to go and great ideas visit the local Aveyron tourist website for more information. Bike hire is available locally for all ages and abilities.
Local active options include:
- Walking Routes, Hikes & Trails
- Mountain Biking Trails & E-Biking
- Road Cycling
- Horse Riding & Pony Trekking
- Climbing, Via Ferrata
- Fishing
- White Water Rafting, Canoeing, Kayaking
- Swimming & Boating
- Golf – Nearby Golf Courses
- Motorised Activities - electric scooters, quad bikes, go-karting, segways etc.
- Paragliding
Towns & Villages Nearby & Places of Interest
- Najac – 8km - 10 mins
- Villefranche-de-Rouergue 5km – 25mins
- Cordes-sur-Ciel – 31km, 35 mins
- Villeneuve – 30km, 35 mins
- Chateau du Mauriac - 47km, 50mins
- Cap’Découverte - 44km, 60 mins
- Belcastel - 53km, 50 mins
- Albi – 55km, 60 mins
- Cahors – 75km, 80 mins
- Millau Viaduct - 120km, 100mins
- Montpelier – 228km, 170mins
Najac & Château de Najac
Explore this old medieval village & royale fortress perched high above the Aveyron. Najac isone of the famous Bastides of the south-west of France & was awarded Plus Beaux Villages de France. Enjoy the little restaurants, cafés & views on the sunny terraces.
Try an adventure on the Aveyron River by navigating the Najac gorges by canoe or kayak down the gentle rapids & water chutes. Take a picnic and drinks and pull up on the river bank or secret beach & relax by the water. Check out the old water mills en-route.
Area Photos...
