Creissels, a village at the foot of the viaduct

Just 35 km from our campsite in Aveyron, Les Calquières, Creissels is one of the communes that won’t leave you indifferent. With a population of 1,564 according to the 2022Insee census, this welcoming commune promises a serene experience in Aveyron, with a wide range of activities and services. Follow our guide and the course of the Tarn for a great Aveyron adventure. Book your stay now!

Creissels, a village at the foot of the viaduct

The main stages of your visit to Creissels

Location / Activity in Creissels	What you need to know
Creissels Castle	Built in the 12th century, with breathtaking views over the Tarn valley.
Creissels Priory	13th-century Romanesque building transformed into a cultural space.
Moulins de Creissels	22 mills along the Cabrières stream. The restored Tournal mill is a major stopover.
Cheese cellars	Natural caves used for ripening cheese (notably Cap de Coste and Puechas),
Caves	Grotte du Boundoulaou / Grotte des Faux-Monnayeurs / Grotte du Renard :
Hiking	Sentier des Cascades: 2.2 km, 1h30, very easy. La Trace Verte: 7.35 km, 2h30, easy.

Creissels: a thousand-year-old past

Creissels, or “Creissèls” in Occitan, is a commune in the Aveyron region of France. Nestling between the Tarn valley and the cliffs of the Causse du Larzac, the village is ideally located south-west of Millau, in the shadow of its viaduct. Creissels is also part of the Grands Causses regional nature park. The commune’s history dates back thousands of years, to Chalcolithic and Gallo-Roman times. Anecdote: Did you know that the inhabitants of the village of Creissels are called “Corses”? This nickname dates back to the time when these inhabitants delivered tan to the mills in Millau. The workers would shout “Voilà l’écorce!”, which gradually evolved into “Voilà les Corses!”.

Creissels Castle

Documented since the year 801, Château de Creissels was built in the 12th century by Henri II of Rodez as his residence. Transformed into a hotel, its architecture retains a square tower flanked by a turret and a round tower with a breathtaking view over the Tarn valley, a perfect location for photography enthusiasts. Address: on the map of Creissels, the château is located at Pl. du Prieur, 12100 Creissels, France, 35 km from our campsite.the interior of the château is not open to the public, but it’s worth taking a stroll in the surrounding area.

Creissels priory

This Romanesque building, dating back to the first half of the 13th century, is one of Creissels’ main attractions. On each of its two floors, you’ll find a large openwork room with geminated bays. The first floor is accessed via two doors, one of which is covered by a pointed arch. The commune of Creissels has decided to give the priory a second life by transforming it into a dynamic cultural space. Address: Prieuré, 27 rue Basse A, 12100 Creissels, France, 35 km from our campsite.

The mills of Creissels

The identity of the commune of Creissels is closely linked to water, as evidenced by its historic mills along the Cabrières stream. This stream, which rises on the Causse du Larzac, once powered up to 22 mills, which were essential to Creissels’ economy. The Tournal mill, located along the Cascades trail and restored in 2017, is one of the main stops on your visit to Creissels. Address: Moulin du Tournal, 12100 Creissels, 37 km from the campsite via the A75.

Cheese cellars

The commune of Creissels also has a history of cheese ripening, taking advantage of its natural caves for this purpose. These underground caves are now abandoned. Three caves in particular are mentioned: those of Cap de Coste and Puechas, located on the northern slopes of Larzac, and that of the Roquebelle tunnel.

The Creissels caves

Creissels is a place marked by a karstic landscape, where the limestone rock has given rise to numerous caves and cavities. This particular geography provides a vast field for discovery.

The Grotte du Renard extends over 7,250 meters, making it one of the most important galleries in Aveyron.

The Boundoulaou cave is home to one of France’s most important bat colonies. Access to this site is strictly forbidden from March 1 to October 30 to preserve the fauna.

The Faux-Monnayeurs cave is said to have served as a refuge for outlaws who used to rob travelers on the road to Millau, looking for an escape route to the Tarn valley.

Hiking in Creissels

Creissels is a gateway to the landscapes of the Causse du Larzac. Hiking is one of the main activities here.

The sentier des Cascades in the commune of Creissels is a refreshing walk that follows the Cabrières stream and offers spectacular views of the Millau Viaduct, the Boundoulaou cirque and the Lévézou mountains. Major points of interest include the Homède waterfall and the Tournal mill. Starting point: Creissels village hall parking lot (1 Pl. du 19 Mars 1962, 12100 Creissels, France), 35 km from our campsiteDistance: 2.2 km Average time: 1h30 Level of difficulty: very easy Difference in altitude: +87 m
La Trace Verte around Ségonac and La Barque: not far from Millau, set off on a walk that combines the architectural power of the viaduct, the charm of Peyre (classified as “France’s most beautiful village”) and the gentleness of a bucolic path along the Tarn. Starting point: parking lot along the path under the viaduct, 37 km from our campsiteDistance: 7.35 km Average time: 2h30 Level of difficulty: easy Difference in altitude: +136 m

Creissels is a veritable guide to escapism, a travel diary where each page reveals a new activity. This commune will appeal to lovers of old stones and enthusiasts of the unique geography of the Causse du Larzac. Don’t hesitate to add this place to your travel diary for a getaway from our low-cost campsite in Aveyron, one of the best establishments in Aveyron!

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