The abbey route follows the route that Cistercian monks took to found their monastic complexes in isolated places, far from towns and castles. By following the gorges where rivers such as the Aveyron and Tarn flow, they found their tranquil destinations. The region in which the route lies is called the Rouergue. The first part of the trip goes through the gorges along the southern edge of the Massif Central. The last part of the route runs over the large limestone plateaus that separate Rouergue from the Cévennes National Park.
The ride starts in Caylus and ends in Sylvanès. Just outside the village is a petrol station, but a little further along the road there is also one; the latter is included in the route.

Caylus is a picturesque town whose streets and alleys have retained the charm of the Middle Ages. They cling to the side of a rocky hill from which rise the ruins of the old castle to which it undoubtedly gave its name. In the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste (13th century): stands the famous Christ, sculpted by Ossip Zadkine.

The first abbey on your route is that of the Cistercian monastery of Beaulieu. At right angles to the abbey church is the former dormitory of the monks, now a forum for modern art (exhibitions). In addition to the spacious church (note the beautiful brickwork), the complex still contains a cloister, a chapter house and pantries.

Via Cornusson (Château de Cornusson) and Parisot (Château de l'Astorguié), you will see the petrol station appear on the left. Take what you need here.

Four km after Mamer you will find the second abbey, called Loc-Dieu, on a left-hand side road. The Cistercian monks built their home on the border of Rouergue and the limestone plateaus of Quercy. In 1123 a monastery complex was built here, which would later be converted into a castle. Three galleries of the cloister have been preserved. However, the 12th century church is especially worth a visit. The vaults are more than 20 metres high and in one of the apsidal chapels there is a beautifully carved triptych from the 15th century.

Only the straightforward street pattern of the centre of Villefranche-en-Rouergue betrays that the place was originally set up as a fortified bastide. The city centre is constantly being restored, which makes the large church, the Collégiale Notre-Dame, stand out more and more. The Gothic style of this place of worship is related to the Gothic of the cathedral of Albi.
The monks of Villefranche-de-Rouergue settled on the other side of the river where the intact Carthusian monastery, called Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur, still stands. This 1S century complex was created by donations from wealthy city merchants. The monastery has not changed significantly since then. In the city it is time for a coffee and a possible visit to the church tower.

Just after Decazeville you will pass a former coal mine, the largest in open-cast mining, in France. The enormous hole is now filled with water and forms an artificial lake (Lac de la Découverte).

A little further on, you approach the village of Conques-en-Rouergue via the gorges du Dourdou, where you are not allowed to enter with your vehicle. Therefore, park it at the edge of the village and visit the Sainte-Foy abbey with its beautiful windows. Conques was an important stop on the Via Podiensis, one of the major pilgrimage routes to the Spanish Santiago de Compostela. The picturesque mountain village invites you for lunch with a visit to the abbey and the shops. If you want to take your time...

Rodez is the next important place in this region. From afar you can see the great cathedral of Notre Dame of Rodez towering above the city. You can come here to contemplate or just come and have a look, but a visit to the cathedral is a must. It took no less than three hundred years to build! There is an enchanting atmosphere: monumental organ, old and modern stained glass windows, lavishly decorated choir stalls, altarpiece, chapel, etc. This church has no main entrance, but a side entrance, because it was part of the fortress wall.

The route continues to the fifth abbey. In Comps-la-Grand-Ville stands the former Cistercian abbey of Notre Dame de Bonnecombe from the 12th century. Today it is owned by a foundation whose aim is to bring the heritage of monastic history to life.

Via the D902 via Requista you finally reach the river Tarn. At Brousse-le-Château. you cross the Tarn to visit the castle complex and then continue to Saint-Izaire for a coffee stop. Here in the castle annex town hall there is a nice museum.

You will end this tour in Sylvanès. Since 1976, the Cistercian complex of Sylvanès has been rescued from oblivion. Now it comes to life every summer with concerts, cultural and religious events. Sylvanès is worth it. The church is one of the best buildings of Cistercian architecture. The east façade is particularly beautiful. Of the walls, only the Porte d'Espagne remains. This now houses a museum with objects from prehistory and the Cathar period.