Notre-Dame de Rodez Cathedral

Before you stands one of the greatest Gothic landmarks in southern France: the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Rodez. Built entirely from pink sandstone, it has dominated the city skyline for more than seven centuries. Its fortified silhouette, once tied into the city walls, reminds us that it was as much a place of refuge as it was a place of worship.

Construction began in 1277, after the collapse of the old Romanesque bell tower, and stretched over nearly three centuries, shaped by the turbulence of the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death. The result is nothing short of breathtaking: a nave stretching 107 meters, vaults soaring 30 meters above you, and above all an elegant bell tower rising 87 meters high—taller than the towers of Notre-Dame in Paris.

Built between 1513 and 1526 by Antoine Salvanh, it is richly adorned with delicate sculptures and rewards those who climb its 400 steps with a sweeping panoramic view of the Rouergue countryside. Notice the western façade: unlike the ornate façades of many Gothic cathedrals, here it’s massive, almost windowless, designed as part of the city’s defenses. The main entrance is instead on the south side, through a beautifully carved portal. Step inside and you’ll discover a wealth of treasures: a flamboyant Gothic rood screen now placed in the south transept, a monumental organ with more than 3,000 pipes, and no fewer than twenty-seven chapels. Some still shelter the tombs of bishops and local dignitaries, while others glow with modern stained glass by artist Stéphane Belzère, creating a striking dialogue between tradition and contemporary art.

Outside, don’t miss the gargoyles—fantastic creatures doubling as rain spouts, each one unique. The cathedral was desecrated during the French Revolution, briefly turned into a Temple of Reason, before being restored in the 19th century. Today, it remains the spiritual heart of the diocese, alive with services and pilgrimages. A true Gothic masterpiece, Notre-Dame de Rodez is at once a witness to history, a triumph of architecture, and a place of living faith—an unmissable stop in the heart of Aveyron.