Sévérac-le-Château
39km
570m
2h30 3h00
spring & summer
2/5*
Physical & technical
From Sévérac-le-Château, you will discover the Sources de l’Aveyron before venturing onto wide gravel tracks to reach the Devèze de Novis.
This itinerary starts from Sévérac-le-Château, a charming medieval town that you will have the opportunity to visit at the end of the route. Access to the route is easy from the parking lot of the sports complex, which is free. Just a few hundred meters, and you are already in the heart of nature. The itinerary begins on wide gravel paths surrounded by sheep fields. You will be able to observe the Sources de l’Aveyron (KM 2.8) before taking a short country road and rejoining the rest of the paths.
You may catch occasional glimpses of the highway, but you are always far enough away, and the fields surrounding you will make you forget that you are close to it. You won’t encounter any difficulties at the beginning of the route, as the surface is smooth and easy to ride on.
At the midpoint of the route, you will face a significant ascent to reach the Devèze de Novis (at KM 20.7), which offers breathtaking views of the Causses and the Cévennes. You may need to dismount and walk at some sections, but the effort is well worth it!
You then make your way back to Sévérac-le-Château by following agricultural paths and rural roads. You will pass through beautiful small hamlets before reaching a narrow grassy path that leads up to the Sévérac-le-Château road. The end of this ascent can be challenging, so I recommend to get off your bike and take a break before turning onto the departmental road. Once on this road, you head towards the Sévérac Castle. There is a short climb with two small switchbacks before reaching the fortified entrance gate of the castle. The castle marks the end of the route before descending towards the parking area or the medieval city, which is definitely worth a visit!
Built in the 13th century, the castle is one of the most visited monuments in the region. It witnessed the religious wars of the 16th century between Catholics and Protestants before being transformed into an elegant residence in the 18th century. However, it was eventually abandoned in the 20th century. Today, the castle has been restored and welcomes visitors for guided tours or simply to admire its exterior and explore the courtyard.
After your visit to the castle, you can either descend towards the parking area to drop off your bike and change into more comfortable shoes for a stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the medieval city or explore it with your bike. It is definitely worth a visit! You’ll find the Maison des Consuls, where local administration meetings took place in the 16th century. Its stone façade adorned with mullioned windows and its round tower are easily recognizable. Inside, there is a museum that traces the history of the city and the region, with exhibitions on architecture, craftsmanship, and daily life during the medieval period.
You will also discover one of the oldest houses in Aveyron, known as the Maison de Jeanne. You will recognize it by its half-timbered walls.
Map & GPX
tested
Best Addresses
(*tested)
Culinary Specialties Dishes
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L'Aligot
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Le Roquefort
-
Les Tripoux
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La Soupe au Fromage
- Les Farçous
- L'Estofinado
Culinary Specialties Desserts
- Le Gâteau à la Broche
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La Fouace
-
La Flaune
- Les Échaudés
