Belcastel (; ) is a
commune in the
Aveyron
Aveyron (; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. It was named after the river Aveyron (river), Aveyron. Its inhabitants are known as ''Aveyro ...
department in the
Occitania
Occitania is the historical region in Southern Europe where the Occitan language was historically spoken and where it is sometimes used as a second language. This cultural area roughly encompasses much of the southern third of France (except ...
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...
in
Southern France
Southern France, also known as the south of France or colloquially in French as , is a geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Marais Poitevin,Louis Papy, ''Le midi atlantique'', Atlas e ...
.
The village is medieval in character, with cobbled streets and lauze-roofed (stone tiled) houses. The bulk of the village and the castle (
Château de Belcastel
The Château de Belcastel is a medieval castle in the village and commune of Belcastel, Aveyron, Belcastel, in the Aveyron ''département'' of France. It is situated above the north bank of the river Aveyron (river), Aveyron, downstream from Rode ...
) are situated on the steep north bank of the river
Aveyron
Aveyron (; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. It was named after the river Aveyron (river), Aveyron. Its inhabitants are known as ''Aveyro ...
. Several buildings including the 15th-century church are on the south side of the river, with a similarly aged bridge connecting the two.
A ruined fort, the Fort du Lourdou, can also be found about a kilometre west of the village on the south bank of the river at the Roc d'Anglars. Belcastel was nominated as one of the "most beautiful villages of France" (
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
(, ) is an independent association created in 1982 for the promotion of the tourist appeal of small rural villages with a rich cultural heritage. As of 2024, it numbers 176 member villages (independent Communes of France, ''communes'' or part ...
) in 1990; the local council regularly hosts watercolour competitions and art exhibitions during the summer.
Demographics
Gallery
Saint Mary Magdalene church in Belcastel 01.jpg, Saint Mary Magdalene church (Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine)
France Occitanie 12 Belcastel 02.jpg, 15th-century bridge (Vieux Pont)
Castle of Belcastel 27.jpg, Château de Belcastel
Site du Lourdou Aveyron 15.jpg, Le Lourdou on the river
See also
*
Communes of the Aveyron department
The following is a list of the 285 communes of the Aveyron department of France. Out of the land area is being , and the percentage of the department's land area is just 34 per cent of its land area of an average commune.
The communes cooperat ...
References
External links
Tourism in BelcastelPhotographs of Belcastel''Route des Seigneurs du Rouergue''
de Belcastel Official Website''
{{authority control
Communes of Aveyron
Plus Beaux Villages de France
Aveyron communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia