N°7 The relays

Vabres has kept many testimonies of its eventful history: in 863, a Benedictine monastery was founded in Vabres by the Count of Toulouse. Vabres abbey soon became the great abbey of the southern Rouergue amassing a wealth of lands and churches. In 1317 Pope John XXII, second French Pope in Avignon selected Vabres abbey as the seat of a new diocese comprising all the parishes situated south of the Tarn river. Vabres was thus under the Bishop’s and the Count’s authorities for almost five centuries up to 1790. Throughout its history, Vabres has undergone some tumultuous periods: the One Hundred Years War and the violent religious wars, yet the Gothic cathedral with its exceptional organ, the Episcopalian palace and some old aristocratic mansions have been preserved.

This bridge is also called the Bethléem Pont Vieux, the chapel that carries the same name is located on the right bank of the Dourdou river downstream from the bridge and is listed as a historic monument.The bridge was buit in 1278 and was probably the place where the turnpike called Peyralbe collected tolls. This arched bridge is composed of 4 semi-circular arches with triangular front and rear beaks.Cars still drive over the bridge.

Here you will enjoy an outstanding all-round 360º view with two fully documented viewpoint indicators. These boards provide information about the local geology, the various types of rocks to be found, the reason why this area is called the Rougier de Camarès, as well as how a meander is formed, a phenomenon which can be observed further down with "le fer à cheval" (the horseshoe) a meander created by the Dourdou river. The second board provides information about the village of Vabres l'Abbaye and on the creation of the bishopric in 1135.

This engraved statue is made of Permian sandstone and was discovered in 1980. A chevron decorated belt and the round shape of the knees are visible.

À la fin de la journée, ce point de vue offre un panorama exceptionnel sur la ville de Saint-Affrique, idéal pour capturer de superbes photos dans une lumière douce et chaleureuse.

Achevée en 1905, l’église Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde, de style néo-gothique, est un joyau architectural de Saint-Affrique. À l’intérieur, les visiteurs peuvent admirer la statue de Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde en bois doré datant du XVe siècle, les vitraux du chœur relatant la légende d'Africanus, ainsi qu’un autel du XVIe siècle. À l’extérieur, son clocher s’élève à 71 mètres, dominant la ville. L’église constitue un lieu spirituel et artistique d’une rare beauté.

Classé monument historique, le Pont Vieux est l’un des plus beaux ponts médiévaux de France, attesté depuis 1408. Ce pont à l'architecture hardie et légère s’étend avec une arche centrale de 21,4 m, encadrée de deux arches plus petites. Construit en dos d’âne avec des piles triangulaires élancées, il témoigne de l’ingéniosité des bâtisseurs médiévaux. Ce joyau architectural offre un passage vers l’histoire de Saint-Affrique, invitant à un véritable voyage dans le temps.