Belcastel

Belcastel (Bèl Castèl in Occitan) is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France. The village is medieval in character, with cobbled streets and lauze-roofed (stone tiled) houses. The bulk of the village and the castle (Château de Belcastel) are situated on the steep North bank of the Aveyron river. Several buildings including the fifteenth century church are on the south side of the river, with a similarly aged bridge (pictured) connecting the two.

A ruined fort can also be found about a kilometre west of the village on the south bank of the river. It was nominated as one of the most beautiful village of France, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and the local council regularly hosts watercolour competitions and art exhibitions during the summer.