Saint-Izaire is a commune in southern Aveyron, in the Occitania region (Massif Central, France).
Main attractions
The Château de Saint-Izaire is a 14th-century episcopal castle. Since 1991 it has been classified as a historical monument. It is maintained by an association known as Vie et Château (Life and Castle), who have created a mini museum on the premises to record the history of the castle and the inhabitants of the village of Saint-Izaire.
The Château de Saint-Izaire is one of a group of 23 castles in Aveyron who have joined to provide a tourist itinerary as the Route des Seigneurs du Rouergue.
The castle is a massive quadrangular red stone building that shelters the town hall of the village of Saint-Izaire. The structure is supported by a keep-tower in the southern wing (partially demolished since the 19th century). This keep contains mural frescoes dating from the 14th century, and the ceiling in the room of the bishops in the Baroque style of the 17th century.
The castle was built by Guillaume Rotlindes, ancestor of the current Rollinde de Beaumont. It was intended as a gift to the Abbey of Vabres, close to the commune of Saint-Affrique: the deed attesting the gift is preserved to the present day. The castle was often used as a summer residence by the abbey. When the cathedral and palace of Vabres were razed in the wars of religion, the castle was used by refugees from the abbey.
Other:
- Statue-menhirs, reproductions of which are displayed on a walking discovery trail.
- Saint-Antonin dolmen.
- In the village, 15th and 16th century buildings with mullioned windows.
- Traditional art museum in the château.
- Saint-Louis church in Saint-Izaire.
- Church of Saint-Pierre in Faveyrolles.
- Church of Sainte-Madeleine in Salelles.
- Notre-Dame-de-Grâce de Saint-Izaire chapel (18th century).
- Chapelle des Armayrols.
How to get to?
From Paris: 6 hr 38 min (688 km) via A71 and A75
From Toulouse: 1 hr 55 min (138 km) via A68
From Andorra: 4 hr 9 min (317 km) via A68
From Barcelona: 4 hr 21 min (425 km) via AP-7 and A9
From Madrid: 9 hr 23 min (942 km) via A-1 and A64
From Monaco: 5 hr 24 min (484 km) via A8
From Moscow: 35 hr (3,378 km) via E30/M1
From Belgrade: 18 hr 15 min (1,788 km) via E70
From Istanbul: 28 hr (2,737 km) via E70
From Bern: 7 hr 33 min (741 km) via A75
Main information
Area: 34,48 km2
Population: 313
Coordinates: 43°58′32″N 2°43′17″E
Language: French
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1
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