Grandeur at your doorstep
The immediate natural environment around Cantobria is spectacular, even without having to go anywhere. Here are a list of things you can do without a car.
A swim in the Dourbie river (on property)
The swimming hole a just a stroll from the front door. Located on the private property, but with public access, you're most likely to have it all to yourself!
Visit cliff and cave (on property)
The cliff and cave are a short 5 min hike from the house. The cave is concealed and rather private, whereas the cliff is sometimes used by expert cliff-climbers. You don't have to climb to enjoy the cliff. There is a large flat space beneath it that offers you a view on the valley.
Local hiking trails
There are many hiking trails accessible on foot from the house, whether for a 30 min, 3-hour, or all-day hike. These trails will take you through rugged, solitary country. You can also walk by trail to the nearest town of Nant.
Cantobre the village
Accessible by foot within 10min of the house, Cantobre clings to a limestone spur high above the Dourbie and Trévezel rivers, with views that stretch across deep gorges and wild plateaus.
The village’s Romanesque church and medieval ruins hint at a long, layered past shaped by isolation and resilience.
Stone houses seem to grow from the rock itself, some with ancient bread ovens still intact and paths worn smooth by centuries of use.
On quiet mornings, the only sounds are goat bells and the rush of river water far below.
Cantobre is not a place you pass through—it’s a place you reach, and then stay a while to listen.
The Trévezel riverbed trek
The river Trévezel is a tricky one. In the dry months, it's a bed of massive boulders entrenched deep in a canyon. You can hike as far and along as you'd like, even 20km up the river to the town of Trève.
Cycling
The house offers two bikes, and roads are great for cycling. The views are spectacular and there is very little traffic. One of my favorite cycling excursions is the village of Trèves, 10 km away.
Historical Towns and Villages
Below you'll find a list of nearby towns, all with a history taking you back almost a thousand years.
Millau - 29 km
Millau is a vibrant town in southern France, best known for the breathtaking Millau Viaduct—the tallest bridge in the world.
Surrounded by limestone plateaus and deep river gorges, it’s a hub for outdoor activities like paragliding, canoeing, and hiking.
The town has a rich history in glove-making, with artisan shops and a museum celebrating this local craft.
Its lively markets, charming old quarter, and scenic riverside setting make it a delightful place to explore.
La Couvertoirade - 21km
La Couvertoirade is a remarkably preserved medieval village in Aveyron, once a stronghold of the Knights Templar and later the Hospitallers.
Visitors can explore the 12th-century Templar castle, walk along the fortified ramparts, and admire the 14th-century Saint-Christophe church.
The village's narrow cobbled streets are lined with stone houses, artisan workshops, and historical landmarks like the communal oven and traditional lavognes.
Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Larzac plateau, La Couvertoirade offers scenic hiking trails and panoramic views of the Grands Causses.
Recognized as one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France," it provides an immersive journey into the region's rich medieval heritage.
Saint Guilhem le Désert - 70km
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a picturesque medieval village nestled in a lush valley along the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route.
Its narrow stone streets, ivy-covered houses, and peaceful charm make it one of the most beautiful villages in France.
The highlight is the Romanesque Abbey of Gellone, a UNESCO World Heritage site with centuries of spiritual history.
Surrounded by cliffs and hiking trails, the village is also a gateway to the stunning Gorges de l’Hérault.
Nant - 5km
Nant is a charming village in southern Aveyron, nestled between the Grands Causses and the Cévennes.
Known as the “garden of the Aveyron,” it’s surrounded by lush greenery, rivers, and ancient stone bridges.
The village boasts a rich monastic heritage, with its Romanesque abbey church and peaceful cloisters.
Wander its quiet streets, discover local markets, and enjoy traditional cuisine in welcoming cafés.
Saint Jean de Bruel - 10km
Saint-Jean-du-Bruel is a picturesque village nestled between the limestone plateaus of the Causses and the foothills of the Cévennes in southern Aveyron.
The village boasts a rich heritage, featuring landmarks such as the 13th-century Pont Vieux, the 18th-century covered market halls, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, and a Protestant temple.
A 1.5 km interpretive trail guides visitors through these historical sites, offering insights into the village's past.
Rocquefort-sur-Sulzon - 45km
Roquefort-sur-Soulzon is renowned as the birthplace of the world-famous Roquefort cheese. Nestled against the limestone cliffs of the Combalou plateau, the village's natural caves provide the perfect environment for aging this distinctive blue cheese.
Visitors can explore several historic cheese cellars, such as those of Gabriel Coulet and Société, where guided tours reveal the traditional methods of cheese production, followed by tastings of various Roquefort varieties.
Beyond its culinary heritage, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon offers scenic hiking trails like the Sentier des Échelles, which traverse the unique geological formations and offer panoramic views of the surrounding Grands Causses Regional Natural Park.
The village itself boasts charming stone houses, narrow streets, and the historic Sainte-Marie church, reflecting its rich cultural and architectural history.
Further explore the region and its activities :
https://www.tourisme-aveyron.com/en
https://www.tourisme-larzac.com/en
https://www.cevennes-tourisme.fr/en/
Nearby Natural Wonders
The immediate natural environment around Cantobria is spectacular, even without a car. Below are list of well-known sites located between 20 and 50km that make for memorable day-trips.
Les Canalettes - 21 km
Le Site des Canalettes near Nant in Aveyron is a hidden gem of natural beauty and tranquility.
Winding paths lead visitors through a lush valley carved by crystal-clear springs and streams.
It’s an ideal spot for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying the peaceful Aveyron countryside.
Interpretive signs along the trails share insights into the area’s unique geology and ecology.
The site features striking limestone fissures and narrow gorges—known as "canalettes"—formed over millennia by water erosion through the Causse du Larzac plateau.
Le Cirque de Navacelle - 50 km
Le Cirque de Navacelles is a breathtaking natural amphitheater carved by the Vis River in the heart of southern France’s UNESCO-listed Causses and Cévennes region. Towering limestone cliffs surround a deep, lush valley, offering panoramic views and dramatic photo opportunities. Visitors can hike scenic trails, explore the charming village of Navacelles nestled at the bottom, or enjoy a peaceful picnic by the river. The site is also home to unique geological formations and rich biodiversity, making it a haven for nature lovers. Easily accessible by car, Le Cirque de Navacelles is a must-see stop on any journey through Occitanie.
Les Gorges du Tarn - 42 km
The Gorges du Tarn is a spectacular canyon carved by the Tarn River through the limestone plateaus of southern France.
Its dramatic cliffs, some over 500 meters high, create breathtaking views and a paradise for nature lovers.
Visitors can enjoy canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, or simply exploring the charming villages along the river.
The area is rich in wildlife, including eagles, vultures, and orchids in spring and summer.
Rock formations at Montpellier-le-Vieux - 22km
Montpellier-le-Vieux is a stunning natural rock labyrinth located on the edge of the Grands Causses in southern France.
The site features massive dolomitic limestone formations sculpted by erosion into arches, towers, and fantastical shapes.
Visitors can explore marked walking trails, take a tourist train, or try a via ferrata adventure route.
The panoramic views over the Dourbie Valley and surrounding cliffs are truly unforgettable.
Les Cévennes - 30km
Les Cévennes is a rugged and enchanting mountain range, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known for its dramatic landscapes, chestnut forests, and winding rivers, it’s a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Robert Louis Stevensen travelled across the land with a donkey and wrote abook about it. Charming stone villages and traditional farms reflect the region’s deep cultural and pastoral heritage.
Sources du Durzon
Experience pristine water that magically appears from beneath rock, the spring for a river called the Durzon than flows into the river Dourbie in the town of Nant. This is a small nature preserve that can doesn't require more than a 15-min visit.