History of Rodez

As you stroll along Rue Planard, it’s the perfect moment to dive into the story of Rodez. Its nickname, the Old Historic City, is no accident. In Antiquity, this was the heart of the Ruteni, a Gallic people, before the Romans established Segodunum here—a thriving town connected by trade routes, traces of which can still be found.

In the Middle Ages, Rodez took on a unique form: the city was divided between two rival powers. On one side was the Cité, ruled by the bishops around Notre-Dame Cathedral. On the other was the Bourg, controlled by the counts, where markets bustled and merchants built their houses. Each had its own walls, and for centuries the city remained split in two, until the Hundred Years’ War forced their fortifications to unite for better defense.

The late Middle Ages and the Renaissance brought prosperity. The great fairs of the Bourg, the flourishing of crafts, and the construction of elegant mansions all bear witness to that vitality. The Gothic cathedral, begun in the 13th century, remains the most striking symbol of the city’s religious power. In the centuries that followed, Rodez grew into the capital of the Rouergue, and later the capital of Aveyron, created during the Revolution. Its economy stayed closely tied to agriculture and trade, while the city also became a judicial, administrative, and cultural hub. In the 19th century, the arrival of the army and the railway transformed Rodez again, while new public buildings gave it a more modern face.

Today, the city blends its rich medieval and Renaissance heritage with a vibrant cultural life, driven by its museums—including the Soulages Museum—and by a remarkably well-preserved historic center. From Gallic roots to cultural capital, Rodez is a city where every street tells a story, weaving together memories of the past with the vitality of the present.