Route of mills in Villefranche-de-Rouergue

An easy family route along the banks of the Aveyron and the hills above Villefranche-de-Rouergue, where you’ll discover charming mills and a beautiful view of the town.

Details

30928652
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.88 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 138 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 138 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 394 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 254 m

Description of the walk

Easy parking near the public baths, Rue Saint-Jean d'Aigremont.

(S/E) Leave Villefranche-de-Rouergue via this same street until you reach the bridge over the Alzou.

(1) Cross the bridge and then pass under the railway line. Turn immediately right and keep right at the three-way junction to follow Route de la Gasse for about twenty metres. Turn right to cross the Aveyron via a concrete bridge: be careful, you must cross one at a time as the bridge is fragile. Then turn left and follow the Route de la Balme, keeping the Aveyron on your left.

(2) Keep left at the junction, cross the Aveyron again and turn right onto Route de la Gasse. Ignore the access to the dam on the right and continue along the road.

(3) Take the hairpin bend to the left onto an uphill footpath. You’ll come out onto the Chemin de la Plaine Saint-Jean; follow it to the left until the first bend.

(4) Turn right to climb towards Saint-Jean d'Aigremont and the Calvaire.

(5) Turn back.

(4) Follow the Côte du Calvaire straight ahead and pass under the railway line again.

(1) Turn left and head back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 256 m - Public baths on the banks of - Aveyron (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 256 m - Bridge over the - Alzou (rivière) - Affluent de l'Aveyron
  3. 2 : km 1.45 - alt. 263 m - Three-way junction
  4. 3 : km 2.42 - alt. 270 m - Junction, on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.98 - alt. 326 m - Way of the Cross
  6. 5 : km 3.51 - alt. 394 m - Le Calvaire
  7. S/E : km 4.88 - alt. 256 m - Public baths

Worth a visit

Old factory on the banks of the Aveyron and the Calvaire.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Fred Chaumont
Fred Chaumont

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice little hike
Easy and enjoyable

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User 12460311

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note:
- Between points 1 and 3, you share the road with motor vehicles
- The climb from point 3 is poorly maintained; the track quickly becomes narrow and is overgrown with brambles and nettles.

Otherwise, the viewpoint at point 5 is definitely worth the effort. It looks like a lovely spot at the end of the day to watch the sunset.

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Ermione134
Ermione134

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Much of the route runs along the banks of the Aveyron, which is very pleasant. There are some beautiful buildings to admire. There is a magnificent view from the Calvary over the old quarter of Villefranche-de-Rouergue. An interesting visit to the chapel, with numerous information panels.

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bv
bv

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along the River Aveyron and past its mills.
The walk can be extended further upstream.

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