the essential
Are you coming to spend a few days or several weeks in Rodez with your family and you are wondering what activities you could do? Discover our top 10.
Its emblematic cathedral, its eclectic museums, its outdoor activities, etc., make the city of Rodez rich. Need some ideas for activities to do with your family for your summer vacation in Rodez? Here is our top 10.
Visit the city’s museums
The Soulages Museum, dedicated to the work of the illustrious painter, with a superb “free retrospective” dedicated to Lucio Fontana in the temporary exhibition room, the Fenaille Museum, with the largest collection of menhir statues in Europe, and which is offering this summer a fantastic exhibition dedicated to “The Valley of the Steles, in Ethiopia” and the Denys-Puech Museum are among the must-sees in the city of Rodez. Each of the three museums is housed in a remarkable architecture!
A single entry ticket, valid for several days, allows you to immerse yourself in these different worlds and discover these three sites from 12 euros.
The impressive Notre-Dame Cathedral
When you arrive in Rodez, you can’t miss it. Notre-Dame Cathedral dominates the historic center of Piton. With its Gothic architecture, you will find freshness in its bowels. Its contemporary stained glass windows and its gigantic organ with a fully sculpted buffet are worth the detour. Several visits are offered throughout the summer by the Tourist Office and the Friends of the Cathedral.
Enjoying green spaces
Children’s games, picnic tables, pontoons for fishermen and hiking trail. A stone’s throw from the city center, the banks of Layoule offer a relaxing setting. On the banks of the Aveyron. This site is classified as an LPO refuge, with a preserved natural area where ducks, birds and animals of all kinds coexist with walkers.
The Vabre estate, located in the commune of Onet-le-Château, is also ideal for walking, entertaining children, picnicking. But also for playing sports!
And, right in the heart of the city, the public garden, designed by Pierre Soulages, with its popular playground and the stud farm, offer a beautiful haven of peace and greenery.
Stroll through the historic center and enjoy the terraces
The medieval alleys lined with pink sandstone buildings and the many lively squares adorn the historic center of Rodez. A city founded more than 2000 years ago by the Rutenes people that is full of stories. Not to be missed, among others, the Saint-Amans church, the impressive House called “d’Armagnac” and the courtyard of the house of Benoît. At the same time, in a department of Aveyron known for its tasty aligot-saucisse, its typical farçous, its succulent Laguiole or its tasty Roquefort, it is the opportunity to enjoy a good meal, or simply have a drink, on a terrace. Thanks to a wide choice, it is the opportunity to take a break to enjoy the beauty of the monuments that surround you.
Cool off in Aquavallon
Aquagym, aquabike, aquafitness… In addition to the pools for beginners or for training in complete freedom, from July 8 to September 1, Aquavallon offers classes and activities for adults and children. The aquatic center also has a slide, geyser, lazy river, massage benches, water jets, fitness area, cardio-training room, gentle weight room, sauna, hammam and jacuzzi. It is open every day.
A little trip to the cinema!
With its ten cinemas, the CGR of Rodez, in the heart of the city, offers something to entertain you in all weathers. With an eclectic program that knows how to give pride of place to family outings but also to discerning film buffs.
Enjoy outdoor activities in Combelles
The Combelles estate, known for its holiday village and its large equestrian center, offers the possibility of practicing outdoor activities: paintball, tree climbing, hiking, mountain biking, quad biking, electric scooters, orienteering, etc. A 120-hectare site at the gates of Rodez that will delight young and old alike, on which the equestrian estate is also located.
A little trip to the market
Breeders, producers, cheese refiners, beekeepers, market gardeners… Fresh, local produce is sold on Wednesdays, Place du Bourg from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Fridays, on the forecourt of the Maison des associations, behind the Sacré-Cœur church from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, Place du Bourg, Place Emma Calvé and Boulevard d’Estourmel from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
To go bowling
An afternoon of bowling is never bad. The Rouergue bowling alley, in Onet-le-Château, has 16 lanes. Table football, billiards, punching machines, air hockey tables, etc. are also available. Whether it’s for a meal or a drink while watching a live concert, there are many possibilities.
Go to the media library and the games library
The media library, located in the heart of Rodez, offers a wide selection of novels, documentary books, large print works, foreign language works, recorded texts, music CDs, DVDs, vinyls, Blu-rays and games. It has various sectors – adults, youth, image and sound –, a press consultation area and a work room. As well as a games library, where you can have a good time playing with your family, thanks to the many board games on offer.
