Saint Affrique : Situation and access
St Affrique is a little town in the South Aveyron, on the D999, 80 km from the North of Albi, 35 km to the West of Millau and 15 km from Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.
- From Paris : 6h15
- From Montpellier : 1h20
- From Toulouse : 1h45
- From Clermont-Ferrand : 2h35 Via A75
- From Marseille : 2h45
- From Barcelone : 4h05
- From Rodez airport : 1h30
- From Millau private airport: 0h25
- From Speedway A75 : 0h20
- From Speedway A20 : 1h50
The Domaine du Vern is situated on the D999 at the exit of the village of St Affrique, going towards Albi
St Affrique is the administrative, political and commercial centre of a rural territory called the Saint Affricain. The river Sorgues flows through it, and together with its tributaries has contributed to shape “7 mountains” respectively called the English, the Quille, the Fous, the Serre, the Cazes de Nougayrolles, and the Roc of Caylus. St Affrique itself has five bridges over the Sorgues, including:
- The Old Bridge, rated historical Monument, built near 1270,
- The New Bridge, end of the XVIII century, typical from this time,
- The Centinary Bridge, open in 1889, a hundred years after the revolution,
A cholera epidemic drove the inhabitants of Saint Affrique to dig holes in the walls of their houses where they put statues of the Virgin Mary who was then supposed to save them from the dreaded disease. A lot can still be seen, one of those in the Domaine du Vern.
The local legend says that, around the year 470, Affricanus, Bishop of Comminges, persecuted by the barbarians Wisigoths, took refuge in the Vicaria Curiensis which later became Sain l’Affrique. And no, nothing to do with some African name.
Saint Affrique :
St Affrican landscape is very diverse, close to the Regional Natural Park of the grands Causses :
To the South-East, the Rougier de Camarés (red schist and clay) – To the South-West, the Monts of Lacaune – To the North-West,the foothills of Levezou – To the North-East, The limestone plateau of Grands Causses.
The combination of town and countryside life makes Saint Affrique very appealing to many holiday-makers and in particular to ramblers and cyclists. Many Menhirs can be found nearby, in particular the most famous in Aveyron is the Dolmen of Tiergues St Affrique.
The weather is mainly Mediterranean.