Country of Roquefort

Lavogne

where the sheep drink, everything here testifies to the importance of water, the blue gold of the causses

The LACAUNE Sheep

Today, in the region, it is the Lacaune breed which dominates in the sheep-milk sector. Its name originates from a county town located in the middle of the Lacaune mountains, in the Tarn, on the border between Hérault and Aveyron.

This is the breed used for making Roquefort cheese.

Roquefort

Is it still necessary to present this sheep's cheese, the production of which was protected by the Parliament of Toulouse in 1666 and which was the first to obtain an Appellation d'Origine in 1925? Made from raw sheep's milk, Roquefort is a monument of our gastronomic heritage. Because the legend is beautiful, we will keep in mind that it was a shepherd who abandoned his flock of Lacaune sheep and his meal of bread and curds in the caves of Cambalou to follow his beautiful. On his return, the mold, the development of penicillium, had covered the bread and transformed the curd into a bluish cheese. Roquefort was born. Roquefort is considered the king of cheeses and the cheese of kings. In the 15th century, King Charles, a lover of this sheep's milk cheese, granted the ripening monopoly to the town of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon and made the Roquefort cellars a protected place. The cellars are the only environment that promotes the development of Roquefort mold. Penicillium Roqueforti is produced from rye bread baked at very high temperature in the ovens of the Papillon cellar in the village of Roquefort. Today, Roquefort is found on almost every cheese platters.

The Larzac

C The Causse du Larzac is a high French karst plateau in the south of the Massif Central which extends between Millau and Lodève. The whole is quite original to have prompted the creation of the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park and to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The couverture

AN INVITATION TO THE HEART OF A MEDIEVAL TREASURE

When in the 13th century, the Order of the Temple received part of the land of Larzac as a donation, they came to build a defensive castle on a rocky outcrop at the place called Mas Aymar. Later, in the 15th century, at the request of the inhabitants and to protect themselves from the famous “road”, the hospital workers also named Knights of the Order of Malta, had the walled enclosure built in just five years. Find this piece of French history by visiting the hotel de La Scipione where explanatory panels are displayed.

Rougier de Camarés

Camares
Along the water, discover a course full of attractions by taking the narrow and steep alleys. From its vestiges, its monuments, you will discover with a certain interest, the Camarésienne city. Points of interest not to be missed: the Noria, the 11th century Old Bridge, Notre Dame du Camarès (panoramic view and orientation table from the statue of the Virgin), the old castle which houses a rose garden, the biscuit factory from Camarès ...

Saint John of Alcas

Saint-Jean d'Alcas hides a unique fort in its center, “the fort des Dames”. You will arrive in front of the imposing walls constituting the enclosure of the fort. Passed under the entrance porch, you will be amazed by the regularity of its architecture. Strolling through the cobbled streets, you will admire the 15th century houses, testifying to the power and wealth of religious orders in the Middle Ages. Indeed, the Cistercian Abbess of Nonenque, lord of the village, had this enclosure erected to protect her property and the villagers, in the context of the Hundred Years War. The older church will charm you with its sobriety, its welcoming, warm and protective side.

SYLVANES ABBEY

A monastic architecture which bears witness to one of the greatest spiritual and artistic moments of the West.

Sylvanès, one of the first Cistercian abbeys founded in Aveyron, has since its restoration known a cultural and spiritual influence that transcends borders.

The International Festival of Sacred Music – World Music is every year in July and August an event that is one of the major national events.

The abbey also organizes numerous singing courses (choral, sacred), cultural meetings, concerts, artist residences, educational visits for schoolchildren … from March to November.

Brousse le Château

A MIDDLE-AGE CASTLE

Perched on a rocky outcrop, built at the confluence of the Tarn and the Alrance, the fortified castle was built in the 9th century. After having belonged to the Counts of Rodez and to the Arpajon family, it was bought in 1839 by the municipality which transformed it into a presbytery.
From the Middle Ages, it has preserved its fortified enclosure, its rampart walk and its five defense towers.