Dolmens walking tour

8 points of interest

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  Panorama

  View over Saint-Affrique

  At the end of the day, this viewpoint offers an exceptional panorama over the town of Saint-Affrique, perfect for capturing beautiful photos in soft, warm light.

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  Dolmen

  Touloupy dolmen

  With nearly 1,000 dolmens, Aveyron is the French department with the highest number of these prehistoric monuments. Contrary to popular belief, they were not built by the Celts, but by Neolithic communities more than 4,500 years ago.

  The word “dolmen,” meaning “stone table” in Breton, refers to prehistoric collective burial sites. Located 300 meters from the Touloupy farm, this restored dolmen overlooks a small plateau and still retains all the charm of these ancient monuments, fascinating witnesses to the prehistory of the Roquefort region.

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  History and heritage

  Boussac chapel

  St Martin’s chapel dates back to the 10th century, and was the main church of the parish of Boussac. It is located on top of a mound which is 650 m high and was renovated in 1999 by a local association. Once a year, around August 15, an open air mass is celebrated, gathering between 200 to 300 parishioners and friends.

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  Dolmen

  Crassous Dolmen

  With nearly 1,000 dolmens, Aveyron is the French department with the highest number of these monuments. Contrary to popular belief, they were not built by the Celts, but by Neolithic communities more than 4,500 years ago.

  The word “dolmen,” meaning “stone table” in Breton, refers to prehistoric collective burial sites. Visible from the road, this dolmen, along with the one at Tiergues, is well worth a visit. Nicknamed “l’Ercoulé,” it is linked to a local legend claiming that the demi-god Hercules, known for his superhuman strength, built this burial site.

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  Dolmen

  Tiergues dolmen

  With nearly 1,000 dolmens, Aveyron is the French department with the highest number of these prehistoric monuments. Contrary to popular belief, they were not built by the Celts, but by Neolithic communities more than 4,500 years ago.

  The word “dolmen,” meaning “stone table” in Breton, refers to prehistoric collective burial sites. Listed as a historic monument, the Tiergues dolmen is one of the most remarkable in Aveyron. Explored in the 20th century by archaeologist Émile Cartailhac, it bears witness to the beliefs and funeral practices of our distant ancestors. Nestled in a preserved natural setting, this site offers a true journey into the heart of prehistory.

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  History and heritage

  The Rock of Caylus

  Perched at an altitude of 519 meters, the Rock of Caylus once supported the castle of the Counts of Caylus, built in the 11th century. Destroyed in 1238, the castle was the heart of a fortified complex that protected the local population. In 1808, the last remaining sections of the fortifications were dismantled to make way for the road to Tiergues. This site reveals a lesser-known chapter of Aveyron’s feudal history and power struggles.

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  History and heritage

  The Old Bridge of Saint-Affrique

  Listed as a historic monument, the Old Bridge is one of the most beautiful medieval bridges in France, documented as early as 1408. With its bold yet elegant design, it spans the river with a central arch measuring 21.4 meters, flanked by two smaller arches. Built with a humpback profile and supported by slender triangular piers, it perfectly illustrates the skill of medieval builders. A true landmark of Saint-Affrique, this architectural gem offers a journey back in time through the city’s history.

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  History and heritage

  Town of Saint-Affrique

  The name Saint-Affrique, with its two “F’s,” often raises curiosity. Its origin dates back to the 5th century, when Arian Visigoths were persecuting Catholic Christians. Africanus, a bishop exiled from Comminges, is said to have taken refuge near the Sorgues River, where he preached to the local population and performed various miracles – a story depicted in the stained-glass windows of the Church of Our Lady of Mercy. The name Saint-Affrique, attested as early as 942 in the archives of Vabres l’Abbaye, may come from the Visigothic term “Affric” or “Effric,” meaning “powerful and fearsome.”

  Anecdote : during the French Revolution, the town was briefly renamed “Montagne sur Sorgues” to remove any religious reference, as was common practice at the time.