Estaing (Aveyron) * All PYRENEES · France, Spain, Andorra

Estaing is a commune in the Aveyron department (Occitania, France, Massif Central).

The village is a member of the association, The Most Beautiful Villages of France.

The city is an important stop on the Santiago route.

Main attractions

The village is dominated by the imposing castle of Estaing, classified as historic monument in 1945, and which recalls the historical presence of the Estaing family. The castle dominates the confluence of the Lot and the Coussanne.

Dating from the 15th century, it was bought, in 2005, by Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, former President of the Republic, his brother, Olivier Giscard d’Estaing, former deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes and former mayor of Estaing, and their cousin, Philippe Giscard D’Estaing. This castle is, with the abbey of Conques, one of the best known and most radiant monuments of Aveyron.

The Estaing Bridge crosses the Lot between Sébrazac on the left bank and Estaing on the right. Made of schist with a limestone cap, it was built from 1490 onwards; its three piers – protected by beaks – triangular upstream and rectangular downstream. The central pier is topped by two architectural elements facing each other: a cross on the upstream side and the statue of François d’Estaing on the downstream side. It was listed as a historic monument in 2005.

The town hall. Registered in 1975 as a historic monument for its facades and roofs, it is the current town hall and the tourist office and was built in the 16th century to serve as a priests’ college, then associated with the chapel of Louradou.

The Manor of Fabrègues. This 16th century house is located along the lot at La Fabrègues. Many of its past traces remain: monumental chimneys, bright stone walls and vaulted rooms. Today, it is a hotel.

Saint-Fleuret d’Estaing Church. Listed as a historic monument since 1927, the church was built in the 15th century on the site of the former priory of Saint-Fleuret, which had been donated to the abbey of Montsalvy by Pons Étienne, bishop of Rodez. In addition to the relics of the town’s patron saint, it now houses a 15th-century Christ and a 17th-century pietà, as well as a statue of Saint James in a gilded altarpiece.

Saint-Blaise de Vinnac Church. Overlooking the Lot valley at Vinnac, the church of Saint-Blaise was built in the 11th century and modified in the early 17th century. It was listed as a historic monument in 1979.