Walk on the Causse du Larzac in Templars County.

Discover the Heart of Pays de Roquefort At the center of Pays de Roquefort, explore the legendary Roquefort caves and the historic Templar villages of Ste. Eulalie-de-Cernon, Viala du Pas de Jaux, and La Couvertoirade.

A Journey Through Dramatic Landscapes Your route winds across the rugged Plateau du Larzac, descending into the lush, vibrant Sorgues Valley. From there, ascend to the Plateau de Guilhaumard, where ancient limestone formations—once home to dinosaurs—paint a striking backdrop. Traverse a steppe-like landscape, alive with unique vegetation and breathtaking colors.

Adventure and History Marvel at the dramatic Cirque de Tournemire, a towering ravine you’ll both cross beneath and overlook from safe, scenic footpaths. Along the way, charming villages like Ste. Eulalie echo the legacy of the Templars.

Life on the Causses Here, the only residents you’re likely to encounter are shepherds and their loyal Border Collies, guiding flocks of sheep across the plateau and past gentle brooks.

Aveyron’s Rich Historical Tapestry

The Aveyron region bears the marks of countless civilizations, from ancient stone monuments and dolmens to menhirs, fortresses, and fortified castles. The area’s architectural heritage—abbeys, churches, and even cart tracks worn into the rock—tells the story of its deep and diverse past.

Roman Legacy The Romans arrived in Aveyron in 118 BC, leaving behind a network of villas and grand estates along the road connecting Rodez and Millau. This vital route also linked to the Via Domitia, a gateway to the entire Roman Empire. Millau itself became a major center for pottery production, supplying goods across Roman territories.

Medieval Influence During the early Middle Ages, the Knights Templar established a strong presence in Aveyron. The region of Rouergue and the city of Rodez were even sold to fund the Count of Toulouse’s participation in the First Crusade, further shaping its historical legacy.

Rugged rockformations of the causses.

Roquefort village and the Cirque de Tournemire-Brias

The Geology of Grands Causses

The Grands Causses region, north of Montpellier in southern France, is defined by its vast karstic plateaus, carved from carbonate rock. These plateaus are bordered by a resilient rock foundation that nourishes major rivers, including the Tarn and its tributaries, which cut deep gorges through the landscape. The Larzac plateau, the southernmost of these formations, serves as a natural bridge to the Mediterranean.

This unique geology supports a vital water system: springs from the plateau supply drinking water to the Millau area (home to 30,000 inhabitants) and replenish surface rivers, especially during the dry summer and autumn months. The region’s abundant water resources sustain not only recreational activities and fish farming but also its iconic sheep farming industry—essential for the production of Roquefort cheese. The plateau is also crossed by key transportation routes, including a major national road and a new highway under construction linking Clermont-Ferrand to Montpellier and Spain.

H29 walk in Pays de Roquefort

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