What to see and do in Najac, a beautiful town in the south of France

I tell you that Najac is one of most beautiful towns that I have visited in recent years, which I was able to discover in my recent trip to the south of France.

Located in the department of Aveyron, in the region now known as Occitania, the town of Najac It has an almost incredible location.

In an environment of wooded hills that may remind you of the green and lush landscapes of Galicia, Najac It is located on top of a rocky promontory created by a meander of the Aveyron river.

El great charm of Najac, where barely less than one hundred inhabitants reside, it is located in the landscape link that makes up the curious alignment of the houses of this medieval town with the image of the castle in the background, at the top of the hill.

And on the other hand, the beautiful panoramic views that you can see of the town from the castle tower.

What to see and do in Najac in the south of France

Thus, at the end of the promontory, in an impregnable location, stand the remains of the aforementioned Najac castle whose origins date back to the year 1100.

And from there, along the ledge of the hill, a single street of this type goes up. medieval village, which leads you to its main square, the Barry Square, from the 15th century, where its characteristic arcades stand out.

How to visit and what to see at Najac Castle

El Najac castle It is a sample of the military architecture of the time, and when you visit it and climb to the top of its circular tower, you will see the excellent panoramic views of the town of Najac.

In reality you will find the remains of a fortress that was built in two different periods.

In the year 1100, a first square tower was built, and then, in 1263, the construction of a 40-meter-high round tower was completed, which is the one in the best condition, and whose terrace you can climb.

Its location at the top of a rocky cliff made the Najac Royal Castle in an impregnable fortress.

In this regard, during your visit you will surely be struck by the enormous depth of the loopholes or embrasures (narrow small windows from which boiling oil and arrows were thrown), which reach almost seven meters, unique in the world.

Tu visit of Najac Castle It will take you, first, to the central courtyard, where through a door in the north wall you can see access to a dungeon.

Then you will go to the large circular tower, whose walls have a thickness of 2,40 meters.

As you climb to the top of the tower via a narrow spiral staircase, and on different floors you will see the aforementioned embrasures.

You will pass through the room known as the St. Julian's Chapel, and then, through a very narrow remodeled corridor, access the oldest of the towers, the square one, where the Governor's Housing.

Finally, after returning to the circular tower and climbing the total of 119 steps of the spiral staircase, you will reach the terrace where you will enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the medieval town of Najac.

You will also see a small bell tower with a bell from 1596.

The castle was sold in 1793 as private property, and its walls were used as a stone quarry for nine years, until a landslide that caused the death of three workers, and its dismantling was suspended.

At present, the Najac castle is owned by Lord of Montaliver, who achieved fame after the Second World War for hiding part of the canvases of the Louvre, among which was the Mona Lisa.

You can visit the castle from April to October.

Najac Castle visit schedules

The Najac Castle visiting hours In July and August they are, every day, from 10,30:19 a.m. to 10,30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 20:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX p.m.

At other times, the visit is every day from 10,30:13 a.m. to 15:17,30 p.m. and from XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

The ticket prices to visit Najac Castle They are, general, 6 euros, and children from 7 to 16 years old, 4,50 euros.

St. John the Evangelist Church in Najac

At the foot of the castle you will see the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Southern Gothic style, built in the 13th and 14th centuries.

With a single nave, when you enter the interior of this Gothic church you will be able to see a 14th century vault.

To note that in Najac There was another church from the 1850th century, but it was destroyed in XNUMX.

When you arrive in Najac, from the aforementioned main square you must take a walk along the only street in the town, and as you advance along the steepest sections of it, you will see older houses.

On this walk you will see the Fountain of the Consuls, from 1314 and with twelve sides.

Also some notable buildings, such as the old Governor's House.

On the walk through this charming medieval town of Najac you will check that the artisan trades They also have a great role.

So, in the Barry Square You will see a pastry shop where they make the fouace, a bun of medieval origin, which has a flavor very similar to our traditional roscon de reyes.

In addition to ceramic crafts, I recommend that you do not miss entering the artisan knife and pocketknives store, where the peculiar craftsman who runs the hotel continues to manufacture them according to medieval tradition.

Photos of Najac in the south of France

Here you have more photos of Najac, riding a Aveyron, south of France.