Visitez Castelpers, St-Just-sur-Viaur

A hamlet, home of prestigious Lords!

A moving castle...

Its first castle, built during mid-11th century, is the siege of powerful lords, who rule the area until the crusades era. When the Rouergue is dismantled, the Castelpers Lordship becomes one of the 12 baronies of the Rodez County.

After the 15th-century English occupation and the plunders led by bands of "routiers" (bandits), Castelpers endures the Wars of Religion, Lord Jean de Castelpers being the Calvinist Party leader.

Partially destroyed, deserted by its inhabitants, the old castle settled on the rocky spur overlooking the valley, is used as a quarry to buid the present castle (15th century) converted into a neo-Gothic manor during 19th century (private property).

... still protected by the chapel !

Cross the bridge spanning the River Céor and follow the path that takes you up to the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Roc, established on a rocky spur that overlooks the Viaur, Céor and Giffou Valleys.

With its pre-Romanesque style and according to its legend, it was built during 9th century, in the reign of the Saracen leader Carolus Magnus, to celebrate its conversion to Christianity.

Every 3rd Sunday in June, a pilgrimage takes place to cure headhackes : good information for people suffering from migraine!

To carry on : the church of St-Jean de Castelpers

Only 2km away from Castelpers, this former priory would go back to 10th century. The church is fit out with high-quality furniture, such as its 18th-century confessional listed among the French Historic Monuments.

Want a rarity ? The graveyard adjacent to the church includes peculiar tombstones : recumbant statues.

Continue to explore the district of St-Just-sur-Viaur !