Camping Moulin de Liort

If creek swims aren’t living up to expectations or more space is needed for splashing about, there are other options nearby: a 15-minute drive to the village of La Garde Viaur is recommended for river swims and, if the currents are a worry, a public pool is 15 minutes' drive away in Rieupeyroux. The Viaur valley is particularly scenic and there are lots of ways to explore it; try something a little different by hiring a canoe or kayak in Najac and floating along past castles and stunningly pretty villages. The same can be done on the mighty Aveyron with canoe and kayak rental in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, an hour from base. This part of the Aveyron department is known for its bastides (fortified towns) and there are plenty hereabouts worth a visit: Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue and La Bastide-l’Évêque within half an hour are must-stops for winding streets, ageing castles and local markets. History buffs have plenty round here to pique their interest… If the bastides aren’t doing the job, Château du Bosc (childhood home of famed artist Toulouse-Lautrec) is 30 minutes away and the museum of Ségala’s agricultural traditions is just 10 minutes from the site – right next to the Pradinas animal park, if meeting wolves and bears more tickles the fancy.