Explore the Millau Viaduct and surrounding area
Spending a vacation at Camping du Viaduc, our Millau campsite, is an opportunity to discover the riches of the Aveyron and Cévennes regions. Like the Grands Causses regional park, the Tarn and Jone gorges, the characteristic villages and the many sporting activities that are sure to entice you to set off on a voyage of discovery. Whether you rent a mobile home or a pitch at our campsite, you’ll be perfectly accommodated for exploring the surrounding area.
Millau Viaduct: a record-breaking structure!
Grand Site de Midi-Pyrénées, the Millau Viaduct spans the Tarn valley. The Millau Viaduct project, designed to extend the A75 freeway to Montpellier, was of pharaonic proportions. But the result was well worth the wait. This cable-stayed bridge, one of the highest in the world, is a superb structure that soars proudly over the Tarn. 2460 meters between Causse du Larzac and Causse Rouge. You can discover it from the Viaduct area, but also from the Larzac foothills or the Brocuéjouls area. However, one of the best views is over the village of Peyre (classified as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”). cheap camping in Millauwith aquatic area at the campsite and in river bank direct access, relax before and after your visits to the Millau Viaduct and surrounding area.
Gorges du Tarn: a canyon in Aveyron
A canyon carved out by the Tarn river
The Tarn has carved out one of the most beautiful landscapes in France. Superlatives are in short supply to describe the Gorges du Tarn. Before reaching Millau, the river has carved a deep gash in the limestone of the Grands Causses region, sculpting a magnificent canyon dominated by high cliffs where vultures nest. Whether canoeing or hiking along the ledges, the Gorges du Tarn are a true feast for the eyes. As the river meanders, you’ll also discover charming stone villages of authentic charm, such as Ste Enimie and La Malène.
Canoeing the Tarn gorges
The Gorges du Tarn offer an exceptional setting for a canoe trip. The Gorges du Tarn can be explored from the road or from the ledges overlooking them at the top of vertiginous cliffs. However, canoeing is undoubtedly one of the best ways to fully appreciate the grandiose landscapes of these gorges carved out of the limestone of the Grands Causses. Les Canoës le Soulio offers two routes of different lengths, departing from Ste Enimie and La Malène.
Aven Armand and Dargilan caves
The gigantic Aven Armand
The Aven Armand impresses by the richness of its limestone concretions. It’s hard to imagine what the speleologists who discovered the Aven Armand must have felt. First of all, its sheer size. This cave, several dozen meters below the surface of the Causse Méjean plateau, could house Notre Dame de Paris. Then for its beauty: a veritable forest of limestone concretions (stalagmites and stalactites) awaits the visitor. A funicular takes you up to the room, where the rocks sculpted by water and time are enhanced by a subtle play of light, allowing you to appreciate all the magic of the place.
The Dargilan pink cave
The largest cave in the region is home to a uniquely long drapery. The “pink” Dargilan cave is the largest in the Causses-Cévennes region. In these gigantic underground chambers, you can admire the richness and variety of the limestone concretions with their highly accentuated natural colors, as well as a drapery that is unique in the world (2000 m² surface area in a single block).
The Roquefort cellars
The standard-bearer for French cheeses around the world, Roquefort comes from Aveyron.
Legend has it that Roquefort came into being after a shepherd forgot some bread and milk in one of the cool, windy cellars overlooking the village of Roquefort.
Whether this is true or not, the invention of this very special cheese was a blessing for the region, and it soon became an emblem for the whole world.
The cellars of all the brands (Papillon, Société, Gabriel Coulet…) are open to visitors and offer tastings.
Family activities
La Couvertoirade: A Templar village in the heart of Larzac
Behind its intact walls, La Couvertoirade takes us back to the Middle Ages. The fortified village of la Couvertoirade, built in the Middle Ages by the Knights Templar, stands out like an apparition in the middle of the Larzac plateau. Over the centuries, it has preserved its authentic character. Little, if any, has been built outside the ramparts, and the interior has remained unchanged since the days of the warrior monks. The watchtower on the ramparts offers a view of the site from the heights. Outside the walls, a mill is being renovated, and you can also admire a beautiful lavogne, stone ponds where ewes come to drink.
Parc Le Theil: A domestic zoo
Parc du Theil is the perfect place to meet domestic animals. Located on the border between Larzac and Hérault, in Le Caylar, the Parc du Theil is a surprising animal park. It’s not about tigers or lions, but about domestic animals. Along a 1.7 km walk, you’ll discover domestic animals from all over the world: Peruvian llamas and Vietnamese pigs, as well as poultry, cattle with strange horns, camels and rabbits.
