Najac

Najac is a commune with 743 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011 ) in the department of Aveyron in the Midi-Pyrénées region. It is classified as one of the plus beaux villages de France ( most beautiful villages in France ).

Geography

Najac is situated on a mountain ridge in the southern part of the Massif Central on a bend of the river Aveyron. The site forms the southern end of the fault ( thrust fault ), the faille de Villefranche -de- Rouergue is called. On the southern municipal boundary flows into the river serene in the Aveyron.

History

The place was founded as a medieval Bastide, located in the county and historic province of Rouergue and is dominated by the ruins of the royal fortress castle Najac. It was built in the 13th century under Alfonso of Poitiers on the basis of an older system from the early 12th century. The castle, which can be visited, is classified in addition to which is also being in the village church of Saint- Jean, a public fountain, bridge Saint -Blaise and the remains of a city gate as a monument historique.

Population

While the population growth declined sharply since the late 19th century, the population declined in the second half of the 20th century from clear, but stabilized since 1990.

Attractions

• The Château de Najac, a masterpiece of military architecture from the 13th century
• The Romanesque church of Saint -Jean of the 13th century
• The Stone Bridge Saint -Blaise from the 13th century

Stone Bridge Saint -Blaise

Sons and daughters of the town

• Alain Peyrefitte (1925-1999), French politician
• Jean -Henri Meunier ( b. 1949 ), French director