Varen is a commune in the north-east of the Tarn-et-Garonne department, in the Occitania region (France, Massif Central).
Geologically, historically and culturally, it lies on the Causse de Caylus, south of the Causse de Limogne, at the crossroads of Quercy and Rouergue.
Exposed to an altered oceanic climate, it is drained by the Aveyron, Baye and Seye rivers, as well as various other small streams. The commune boasts a remarkable natural heritage: a Natura 2000 site (Les vallées du Tarn, de l’Aveyron, du Viaur, de l’Agout et du Gijou), a protected area (le cours de la Garonne, de l’Aveyron, du Viaur et du Tarn) and five natural zones of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest.
Varen is a rural commune with a population of 652 in 2021, having reached a peak of 1,913 in 1861. Its inhabitants are known as Varennois or Varennoises.
Main attractions
- Lexos railway station, listed as a historic monument;
- Saint-Pierre church, Romanesque style, dating from the 11th century; it was part of the town’s defensive system, its façade serving as a surrounding wall. The building was listed as a historic monument in 1846.
- Église Saint-Étienne de Lexos.
- Saint-Grégoire church in Saint-Grégoire. The building is listed in the Mérimée database and in the Inventaire général Région Occitanie.
- Église Saint-Martial de Varen. The building is referenced in the Mérimée database and in the Inventaire général Région Occitanie.
- Église Saint-Martin d’Arnac.
- Église Saint-Vincent de Saint-Vincent.
- Deanery dating from the 12th century.
- Fortified gate, listed as a historic monument in 1925.
- Château de Belpech.
- Half-timbered houses.
- Château de Pechrodil.
How to get to?
Lexos station has rail connections to Toulouse-Matabiau and Figeac.
From Paris: 7 hr (643 km) via A20
From Toulouse: 1 hr 27 min (101 km) via A68
From Andorra: 3 hr 44 min (279 km) via A68
From Barcelona: 5 hr 5 min (489 km) via AP-7 and A61
From Madrid: 9 hr 20 min (908 km) via A-1 and A64
From Monaco: 6 hr 32 min (593 km) via A8
From Moscow: 35 hr (3,417 km) via E30/M1
From Belgrade: 18 hr 54 min (1,897 km) via E70
From Istanbul: 29 hr (2,846 km) via E70
From Bern: 7 hr 58 min (830 km) via A89
Main information
Area: 23 km2
Population: 652
Coordinates: 44°09′33″N 1°53′42″E
Language: French
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1
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