The medieval village of Saint-Izaire is dominated by the church and the bishop’s castle, built of red sandstone.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment for their stay in Saint-Izaire can include this in their travel plans.
Culture and History
The Château de Saint-Izaire is a 14th-century fortified complex, classified as a Monument Historique, and was the summer residence of the bishops of Vabres l’Abbaye. Its museum comprises 20 rooms open to visitors, featuring rural art, traditional archery, a classroom, a kitchen, and the bishop’s bedroom dating from the 17th century.
The historic Moulin de Saint-Izaire has been documented since 1461 and is now used as a micro-hydroelectric power station. Copies of the statue-menhir sculptures from Ardalies can be seen on the D133 and along Véloroute 85 near the Les Ardalies farm. Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is a restored medieval sanctuary overlooking the Dourdou plain.
Landscape
The landscape around Saint-Izaire is shaped by three valleys through which the Gos, Dourdou and Len rivers flow; it features gentle relief and red earth. The Les Trois Vallées route runs along the valleys of the Dourdou, Tarn and Gos.
Véloroute 85 also follows the Dourdou for a 17-kilometre stretch to the village of Saint-Izaire.
Hiking
The Petit Tour de Saint-Izaire is an easy, 2.7-kilometre circular hike taking around 45 minutes from Saint-Izaire. The Notre Dame de Grâce route is an easy, 4.8-kilometre circular hike from Saint-Izaire, taking around 1 hour 30 minutes.
