Rodez, France

Rodez, France

Cathédrale de Rodez in Rodez, France (cc)

Rodez Travel Guide

Introduction

Rodez is a veritable surprise: It's a tiny city plunked smack in the middle of mountains, yet unexpectedly urban, with world-class shopping and dining. Its centerpiece is of course its stunning cathedral that houses a 250-feet-high statue of the Virgin Mary. Besides which, the city has a rich store of historic buildings in Vieux Rodez, the old part of town, all meticulously restored and marked with plaques, which can be visited on a self-guided tour that begins and ends at the cathedral. The city also has a colorful outdoor market three days a week, adding to the atmosphere and visitor interest. Ultimately, one would have to admit that Rodez is a destination that is both city and country, an oasis in the middle of nowhere, which the Rodez Tourism Bureau promotes with the slogan: "City pleasures in the heart of the countryside!"

How to Get to Rodez

Where to Stay in Rodez

Where to Eat in Rodez

Rodez Highlights

Main Sights and Attractions

Party Scene

Famous People

Rodez Basics

Location

Rodez is situated in the south of France in the Avéyron department of the Midi-Pyrénées – a picture-postcard-worthy area that is particularly rich in historical attractions, with scores of châteaux and bastides, and charming stone cottages littered amid the vast expanses of country largely given to sheep farming.