What to see in Rodez (France) in 1 day, from the Gothic cathedral to its mansions

It is true that the greatest attraction of a route through Aveyron, in the region of Occitania, in the south of France is to discover charming pretty towns such as Conques, Najac o Belcastel, as I was able to see on the trip I had the opportunity to take not long ago.

However, it is worth including in your route a stage that involves the Rodez visit.

It is the capital of the department of Aveyron, whose main attraction is its Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in the South of France.

when you get to Rodez Don't expect to find a big city. As a fact, I will tell you that including the metropolitan area, it barely has 50.000 inhabitants.

This will make your visit much easier as it will be limited to a walk through the medieval historic center, which is perched on a rocky hill surrounded by the Aveyron river.

Curiosities of the history of Rodez

Of course, you should know that Rodez It was founded more than two thousand years ago by a Celtic people, the Ruthenians.

After the Roman occupation, the city was divided into two walled enclosures, the Burgo neighborhood, occupied by prosperous merchants, also known as the Counts Neighborhood, and the city, under the power of the archbishops, and at the foot of the cathedral that began to be built in the 13th century.

Later, after the Hundred Years War which extended during the 14th and 15th centuries, Rodez He unified the wall to have more protection. Finally the wall was practically destroyed at the end of the 18th century.

There is still a small section of it, but, above all, Rodez maintains the typical configuration of a small medieval town, with narrow streets that extend on the east side of the cathedral.

Precisely one of the curiosities of Rodez is that the theoretically main façade of the cathedral...does not have a door.

The Plaza de Armas, the main one in the city, you will see a façade that is a large stone wall, which is explained because that façade was part of the medieval wall.

What to see and do when visiting Rodez

Without a doubt, the great monument that will arouse your greatest interest in Rodez is the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Gothic cathedral of Rodez, one of the largest in the south of France

You will be before a Gothic cathedral Built between the 107th and 36th centuries, its large dimensions will catch your attention, with a floor plan 30 meters long, XNUMX meters wide and a height of XNUMX meters under the vault.

And it is precisely inside where you find its greatest attraction and artistic richness.

Its exterior shows a very peculiar configuration, because where the main entrance portico is supposed to be, on what is the west façade, you will find a large wall, without any door. with a totally sober appearance.

Which is the reason?

It is explained because when the cathedral began to be built in 1277, this façade was an integral part of the city wall, which you can still see by the section of wall that extends to the north, next to the Episcopal palace, another of the outstanding monuments of Rodez.

In this way, on the aforementioned west façade only in the upper part of the central structure can you see a large rose window and decorative details of the style flamboyant gothic that characterizes the church.

On both sides, two flat-topped towers of different heights.

The 87th century bell tower, XNUMX meters high, is the tallest flat tower in France.

The construction of the rodez cathedral It was delayed for various reasons. from the Hundred Years War and plague epidemics, even divergences in one's own Bishopric of Rodez.

As a result, the cathedral building was not completed until 300 years after its beginning.

Inside the Rodez Cathedral you will enter through a sumptuous portico that opens on the south façade, above which another rose window is located. Before entering, take a look at the numerous gargoyles that stretch across the façade.

At the interior of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Rodez There are several corners that will catch your attention. For example, the 15th century choir, with fine wood decoration.

Or the great altarpiece of the Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher. Or the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, with its coffered ceiling.

You should also look at the imposing 17th century organ. And regarding the stained glass windows, the contemporary design ones made by Stephane Belzere.

Mansions and houses from the 15th and 16th centuries

In your walk through Rodez you will see various palaces and some houses from the 15th and 16th centuries.

The houses of the old Burgo neighborhood They are made of wood but covered in stone.

In front of the north façade of the cathedral is one of the most notable buildings in Rodez, the Episcopal palace, from the 17th century, one of the few buildings in the city built with bricks.

Next to this palace you have a section of wall on which the Corbieres Tower, from the 20th century, one of the XNUMX towers that in its time had the rodez wall.

This tower became a prison during the French Revolution.

Canonical House in Rodez

Amongst the historic buildings of Rodez I want to highlight the so-called canonical house, from the 15th century, located in front of the south façade of the cathedral, where the entrance portico is located.

This house is Gothic in style, and provided accommodation for canons.

The entrance portico is from the 15th century, and in the interior patio you can see a stoneware well from the same period, which is decorated with shells of Santiago, symbol of the pilgrims of the the Camino de SantiagoBecause Rodez In the Middle Ages it was located on one of the secondary roads.

For its part, the Benoit's house, from the 15th century, stands out for its interior patio with a Gothic style balustrade.

I also want to highlight the Armagnac house, XNUMXth century.

With mixtures of Gothic and Renaissance style, it belonged to a rich merchant and banker.

Soulages Museum in Rodez

Finally, it is also worth highlighting the Soulages museum dedicated to Pierre Soulages, a prestigious contemporary painter who was born in this city and for whom a modern building has been built.

Located next to the Foirail Garden, the museum displays more than 500 works, most of them donated by the artist himself.

Map: where it is and how to get to Rodez

The small town of Rodez is located 150 kilometers northeast of Toulouse.

Photos of Rodez in Occitania

In anticipation of your visit to this medieval city, here is more photos of Rodez.