Najac

A simple square tower in the twelfth century, the castle of Najac became a fortress in the thirteenth century, by order of King Saint Louis. Its strategic position, which makes it the lock of the valley, earned it an eventful history. Kings of France and England, counts of Toulouse, Protestants and croquants long coveted this "key to the whole country". From the round towers, the view plunges over the Aveyron valley and the lauze roofs. Converted to the Cathar heresy in the 1200s, the inhabitants were condemned by the inquisitors to build the church of Saint-Jean at their own expense. By its southern ogival art, it is one of the first Gothic churches of the Rouergue. From the same period, the town's houses stretch along the rocky ridge at the foot of the castle. You can also admire two superb fountains, one of which has a monolithic granite basin.

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