Martiel, 9 km west of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, is home to a magnificent Cistercian abbey called Loc Dieu. The building, surrounded by a sublime romantic park designed by Jean Darcel, one of the architects of the Buttes Chaumont, invites visitors to take part in a guided tour to discover its architecture and fabulous history. Burnt down during the Hundred Years' War, rebuilt and fortified over the centuries by Cistercian monks, it was home to several paintings from the Louvre in 1940, including the Mona Lisa, who came here to find peace during this turbulent period. The site also regularly hosts concerts. A visit full of surprises and a must for any future visit toAveyron. For further information, click here.