Belcastel, Aveyron

French commune
nomcommune=Belcastel
The 15th-century bridge
région=Midi-Pyrénées
département=Aveyron
arrondissement=Rodez
canton=Rignac
insee=12024
cp=12390
maire=Claude Cayla
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=Pays Rignacois
longitude=2.337778
latitude=44.389444
alt moy=450 m
alt mini=391 m
alt maxi=707 m
hectares=1,074
km²=10.74
sans=251
date-sans=1999
dens=23
date-dens=1999

Belcastel is a "commune" in the Aveyron "département" in southern France.

The village is apparently 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 Averyon river. Several buildings including the 15th 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 kilometer 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.

External links

* [http://www.aveyron.com/english/tourism/bel2.html Tourism in Belcastel]
* [http://www.segala.info/belcastel/ Photographs of Belcastel]