Friday 15th June 2018
Whilst on our visit to the Millau visitors centre earlier in the week we had picked up a Discovery Guide to Aveyron, in which was an article about “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”. One of the 10 listed villages in Aveyron was Peyre, just a very short 11 km drive downstream from Millau.
As we drove along the road following the contours of the River Tarn our first glimpse was of a village perched on the south side of an immense rock overlooking the River. It looked stunning!
Signs led us to a recommended car park about 800 metres along our approach road, just outside the village itself. When you visit the village, you will understand why. The majority of the village is pedestrianised only.
From here we made our way back along the narrow road and the old disused railway line towards Peyre and accessed the village via, the Chemin des Calades.
The village is delightful. Limestone houses line the narrow streets and it often appears as if time has stood still in this beautiful hamlet.
We were rewarded with a spectacular view of the Millau Viaduct from a position opposite the troglodyte Eglise Sainte Christophe which is built in front of a cave in the rock face. This church dates back to the 11th century.
From this high point we made our way back down towards the newer Church of St. Christopher and discovered underneath part of the church an unusual underground car park area 😉
This had been a nice village to visit on such a pleasant day and we enjoyed our wander around.