Aveyron district, Occitania, France

Places to visit near Espalion

Espalion is a town in Aveyron district, Occitania, France, home to about 4,652 people. Within 50 km by road there are 30 places to visit — 9 forts & heritage, 8 churches, 2 hill stations & viewpoints and 9 lakes, dams & reservoirs. The must-see places are Château de Saint-Côme-d'Olt (5 km), Château du Bousquet, Laguiole (19 km) and Lac de Maury (22 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Espalion on the map

Espalion, Occitania
Espalion, Aveyron district, Occitania, France. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Espalion at a glance

Location
Aveyron district, Occitania, France
Population
about 4,652
Coordinates
44.5224° N, 2.7626° E
Places within 50 km
30 (25 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Espalion

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Espalion: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Espalion

Things to see near Espalion, by type

Forts & heritage near Espalion

85 forts & heritage within 100 km of Espalion. The closest is Pont-Vieux (1 km); the best-known is Château du Bousquet, Laguiole (19 km). Best time: october to february.

All forts & heritage in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes →

Churches near Espalion

49 churches within 100 km of Espalion. The closest is Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste (1 km); the best-known is Château de Saint-Côme-d'Olt (5 km). Best time: year-round.

All churches in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes →

Hill stations & viewpoints near Espalion

22 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Espalion. The closest is Signal de Mailhebiau (32 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes →

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Espalion

14 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Espalion. The closest is Lac de Maury (22 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes →

Museums near Espalion

4 museums within 100 km of Espalion. The closest is Musée du Scaphandre (1 km). Best time: year-round.

All museums in Occitania →

Wildlife, forests & gardens near Espalion

3 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Espalion. The closest is Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses (69 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

All wildlife, forests & gardens in Occitania →

A one-day trip from Espalion

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 47 km on the road.

  1. Start in Espalion
  2. 1 km Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste · church, Aveyron
  3. 1 km Musée du Scaphandre · museum, Aveyron
  4. 1 km Pont-Vieux · heritage site, Aveyron
  5. 5 km Château de Saint-Côme-d'Olt · church, Cantal
  6. 20 km Château du Bousquet, Laguiole · heritage site, Cantal
  7. 19 km Back to Espalion

Plan a longer trip from Espalion — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Espalion

No traveller has reported from around Espalion yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

Post an update from the map →

How to reach Espalion

    All places near Espalion by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Espalion by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage985Pont-Vieux (1 km)
    Churches849Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints222Signal de Mailhebiau (32 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs914Lac de Maury (22 km)
    Museums24Musée du Scaphandre (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens03Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses (69 km)
    Caves03Grotte de Foissac (75 km)
    Treks01Sentier D'interprétation - Arboretum de l'Hort de Dieu (99 km)

    Espalion: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Espalion?

    Château de Saint-Côme-d'Olt (church, about 5 km), Château du Bousquet, Laguiole (heritage site, about 19 km), Pont-Vieux (heritage site, about 1 km), Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste (church, about 1 km), Musée du Scaphandre (museum, about 1 km), Vieux Palais (heritage site, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Espalion?

    30 places on Spotwander: 9 forts & heritage, 8 churches, 2 hill stations & viewpoints, 9 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 2 museums.

    Which is the nearest fort to Espalion?

    Pont-Vieux, about 1 km by road; Vieux Palais (0 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Espalion?

    Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, about 1 km by road; Chapelle des Pénitents (0 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Espalion?

    Signal de Mailhebiau, about 32 km by road; Lévézou (44 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Espalion?

    Start in Espalion, visit Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, then Musée du Scaphandre, then Pont-Vieux, then Château de Saint-Côme-d'Olt, then Château du Bousquet, Laguiole, and drive back — about 47 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Espalion?

    October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Espalion

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Espalion’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Espalion on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.