Belcastel - Beautiful villages in France

Belcastel ranked among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France

Belcastel is ranked among France's 'most beautiful villages.'

Nestled in a steep valley on a hairpin curve of the Aveyron, it is one of the region' major tourist sites.

Most of this stunning medieval village unfolds on the north bank of the river.

Old stone houses roofed with local lauze border the narrow cobbled village lanes - calades - that run on the hillside, below the castle.

The Chateau de Belcastel was built in 13th century atop the ruins of a 9th century chapel.

The Saunhac family took possession of the castle at the end of the Wars of Religion.

For the following two centuries, their descendants renovated, expanded and fortified it.

In the 15th century, Alzais Saunhac, Lord of Belcastel, built the superb bridge that spans the Aveyron in order to connect the village with his newly-built church on the opposite bank.

The bridge has become such a landmark that the village council organizes an annual photography and painting competition.

Church of Sainte-Marie Madeleine is understated, yet boasts a superb Stations of the Cross painted by contemporary artist Casimir Ferrer.

It also contains historic stone sculptures and the tomb of Alzais Saunhac.

However, the Saunhac deserted Belcastel in the late 16th century, leaving the castle and village to slowly fall into oblivion and decline.