THEArgentinia is a territory of North Aveyron, located between Aubrac and the Gorges de la Truyère, which offers magnificent landscapes. Its name comes from the river which crosses it, the Argence Vive, which has its source at an altitude of 1 meters at the Roc du Cayla. The wealth of Argence lies in its religious heritage important, in particular thanks to the many carved crosses dating from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries that mesh the territory.
Canton
- 980 meters above sea level
- 305 inhabitants
The village of Cantoin extends around a gothic church built with the stones of the old castle, destroyed during the French Revolution. The porch is dated 1473. The village is located on a high plateau overlooking Viadène and Aubrac on one side and Carladez on the other. The municipality of Cantoin has many scattered hamlets on its outskirts, each with its own character, vestiges and treasures: Cantoin and Vines, Liamontou, Cissac, Les Capelles, La Bastide, Le Puech del Mas, Batdour, Biac, Les Mazucs.
Argences-en-Aubrac
- From 316 to 1 meters above sea level
- 1 680 people
The town of Argences-en-Aubrac is a recent town, founded in 2015 following the merger of the municipalities of Alpuech, Graissac, Lacalm, La Terrisse, Sainte-Geneviève-sur-Argence and Vitrac-en-Viadène. True sports lung of the territory, labeled “Active and sporting city”, Argences-en-Aubrac offers you throughout the year a large number of sporting activities.
The sports lung of the territory
secret corner
In Falachoux, the path will take you to a clearing surrounded by oaks and bordered by basalt organs. A pierced basalt table, placed on a section of column, sits in its center. It would be a Roman sacrificial altar dedicated to the God Jupiter.
Alps
Alpuech (which comes from Occitan apueg meaning high mountain), is located at an altitude of 1 m. Welcoming and pretty village, on the edge of pastures, it offers you a magnificent view on Viadene bocagère on one side and Aubrac and its plateau on the other. Traces of roman roads to cross dating from the twelfth and sixteenth centuries attest to thevery old location from the village. The oldest houses are grouped around theChurch of Saint-Martin-d'Alpuech. Dating from the 1979th century and in the Romanesque style, in the shape of a Latin cross, it has been listed in the inventory of historical monuments since XNUMX. From the top of its bell tower and in good weather, you can admire a magnificent view of the Cantal mountains. The Argence Vive and Argence Morte rivers have their source on its territory and will offer you beautiful moments of fishing.
Graissac
Graissac is built on volcanic rock at an altitude of 915 meters. You will discover his Romanesque style church from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, with its bell tower dating from the mid-XNUMXth century and a magnificent carved cross from the XNUMXth century on the forecourt. From the terrace, stop to admire the panorama on the carladez, the Plomb du Cantal and the Château de Thénières.
The Terrisse
The Gothic-style Saint-Etienne church, erected in 1371-1374, houses a woman bust made by the sculptor Denys Puech, as well as two other busts dating from the XNUMXth century. The village is also the homeland of priest and poet Joan Vaylet, an author of several songs in the Occitan language.
Lacalm
At the gates of Aubrac, Lacalm is the roof of Aveyron. The village is the highest in the department, since it is located at 1 meters above sea level. In the heart of the village, you can visit its very old church with two distinct parts: the church itself in Romanesque style, with a semicircular apse, and a square bell tower without any particular style.
Sainte-Genevieve-Sur-Argence
Sainte-Geneviève-sur-Argence owes its name to two rivers, the Argence Vive and the Argence Morte, which meet under the Orlhaguet bridge, before forming gorges ideal for water sports enthusiasts, and leading it by successive jumps to the Truyère. The church is interesting for the ruins of the old church, by the chapel of the Lords of Thénières and by a goldsmith's cross of the fourteenth century.
On the Place des Tilleuls, you can admire the Memorial, ranked among the ten most beautiful monuments in France, sculpted by Eugène Arsal. He represents a shepherd with his dog. This is a copy of his sculpture named The voice of the bells, dating from 1950, visible Rue Eugène-Renaud in Vincennes.
Orlhaguet
The village is reputed to be one of the most beautiful villages in North Aveyron. He is nicknamed the Nice of the mountains thanks to its microclimate. Arriving at Orlhaguet, you will pass an astonishing three-entry bridge. You can then admire the thirteen carved crosses from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries to the detours of the roads. Overlooking the village, notice the imposing silhouette of thefortified castle church, half-Romanesque, half-Gothic, surmounted by massive defense constructions dating from the XNUMXth century.
Mels
Park your car and walk around this hamlet. Admire them granite houses, the communal oven, the chapel and its bell tower with a bell, built on the ruins of the old castle. With a little courage, you can go to the End of the world : a site presenting a magnificent panorama over the Truyère valley, the Carladez and the La Barthe dam.
