Route of discovery of the historic centre of Rodez

On Avenue de l'Europe, near the Soulages Museum, there are parking spaces opposite the gendarmerie barracks and the army recruitment centre. If you wish to complete your visit with a tour of the museum, you can use the museum's underground car park, which is accessible from the same avenue.

(S/E) Cross Avenue de l'Europe and turn left opposite the gendarmerie, towards the Soulages Museum, which is the large rust-coloured rectangular building. At the roundabout, cross Boulevard du 122e Régiment d'Infanterie, take the path opposite, to the left of the grey building, turn right between this building and the museum and go up the steps, then turn left into the Jardin du Foirail, with the museum on your left. Pass to the left of the kiosk and exit the park. Continue in the same direction, Avenue Vitor Hugo, with Notre-Dame Cathedral in your sights. At the crossroads, note the façade of the hotel on the right, cross Rue Bételle and continue straight on towards the cathedral.

(1) In front of the cathedral, on Place d'Armes, turn left onto Boulevard d'Estourmel and walk a few metres to the foot of the Tour des Corbières, which is part of the ramparts (a little further down this street, there is another tower that has been curiously cut in half). Return to the cathedral and turn left onto Rue Frayssinous (alongside the cathedral, you can enter the building from this side). Note the old Episcopal Palace, with a tower, on the left side of the street.

Turn left onto Impasse Cambon, passing in front of the stonemasons' guild house. At the end of the street, turn right at the corner of the Hôtel Delauro (a beautiful building with a turret) onto Passage des Hebdomadiers. Then take Rue Séguy on the left, then Rue de Bonald on the left (at this intersection, note the pig's head above a door on the right). Note the former Hôtel de France on the left (and a passageway to landscaped courtyards on the right).

(2) At the intersection, turn right onto Rue de l'Embergue. Note the porch of the former Hôtel Séguret on the left. Continue straight ahead until you reach a square. Turn right to take Rue du Terral on the other side of the square. Note the façade of Chaussures Paul Fraysse a few metres further on, on the right, then immediately turn left behind the cathedral. You will arrive at Place d'Estaing.

(3) Note the Maison de Benoît on the left (enter the courtyard). At the corner of this house, take Rue Bosc, then turn right onto Rue du Touat and continue straight ahead to arrive in front of the prefecture. Turn left onto VC Saint-Étienne, then continue straight ahead onto Rue Camille Douls to arrive at Place Eugène Raynaldy, which is an ancient Gallo-Roman forum.

(4) Turn right and follow Rue de Nattes on the right, which then turns left. At the end of the street, turn left and walk a few metres to the Fenaille Museum (formerly the Hôtel Jouéry). Note the beautiful façade of the adjoining house.

Retrace your steps and you will find yourself in Place du Bourg, surrounded by several interesting façades. Continue straight ahead and then turn left onto Place de l'Olmet. Shortly afterwards, note the superb Maison d'Armagnac on your right. Continue straight ahead on Rue Saint-Amans for a short walk to the red stone church of the same name.
Retrace your steps and turn left onto Rue d'Armagnac, at the corner of the house of the same name. At the end of the street, note the Maison Trouillet (with pink window frames).

(5) Turn right onto Rue du Courtcomtal and follow Rue Louis Blanc to the left. You will arrive at the beautiful post office building on the right. On the other side of the street, you will see the former chapel of the Jesuit College.

Turn right onto Rue Corbières, at the corner of the post office, then left onto Rue Penavayre. Note the porch of the Maison Canonial on the left, which leads to the south façade of the cathedral (another entrance on this side). Turn left to reach the front of the building, Place d'Armes.

(1) Then retrace your steps along the same route to pass by the Soulage Museum again and return to the car park (S/E).

An easy urban discovery walk, no special equipment required except a camera.
Toilets near the park entrance, on the cathedral side.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

Many half-timbered houses and many remarkable façades: the Maison de Benoît, the former chapel of the Jesuit College, the most beautiful being that of the Maison d'Armagnac. Very beautiful organs in Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Soulages Museum.