Places to visit within a 20 minute drive

Pont de Cirou 
Pont de Cirou from the 15th century - once the crossing of the Viaur between Rodez and Albi and then busy enough to justify an inn on each bank of the river. Restaurant. Watch tower. By the side of the ancient castle is a mill where wool is still woven– short visit.
 
Flauzins
​At the summit at 620m there is a great view of the Viaur valley as it veers west. See also the mysterious granite megalith- Cheval du Roi- which was imported from elsewhere.
 
Jouqueviel 
Resistance war memorial at the top (Tel) and  romantic ruins of fortress and deserted village down the hill following a long path to L’Albinie. Private sign there so keep to GR waymarked route.
 
Chapel of Murat 
11th century- decorated with double cross on its roof and survival of internal furnishings. Occitan cross in the cemetery. From here good view of Château of Roumegous. Occasional guided visits during the summer.
 
Château of Roumegous 
15th century remains of what was once an impressive fortress with precipices on three sides built on a rocky promontory between two streams.

Port de la Besse 
Restaurant in great setting by what was once a river port and where the river waters were dangerous to cross. It is possible to walk there along the river from Bellecombe.
 
Pradinas 
20 hectare animal park with wolves, bears, birds of prey, deer, bison, antelope and lynx- but not elephants, lions, giraffes, monkeys.
 
Rieupeyroux
Indoor swimming and tennis, arboretum near the St Martial church, cinema, Sunday morning local producers’ markets during the Summer and traditional  market third Wednesday of the month. Stunning panoramic viewpoint at 804m altitude and above the town by the isolated Saint-Jean Baptiste chapel - overlooking on a clear day several counties or departments between Cantal and the Pyrénées.