Rodez is a historic city, the center of which is distinguished by preserved historical buildings with a Gothic cathedral. There is also the famous Soulages Museum, presenting the works of one of the most important French artists of the second half of the 20th century, Pierre Soulages.
The city was built on the ruins of a Roman settlement. In the Middle Ages, it was the subject of rivalry between the local counts of Rodez and the bishops. The dispute led to the fact that for many years two centers, separated by a wall, developed here. The disputes finally ended only during the French Revolution.
Today, in the center of Rodez, you can see a lot of preserved historic buildings. The main monument is the gothic cathedral, with a carved tower in the fiery gothic style. A tour of the old town of Rodez also includes a visit to the Fenaille Museum, which has one of France's finest collections of carved menhirs and other iconic boulders from the prehistoric and ancient periods.
Rodez's biggest attraction is the Soulages Museum, which opened in 2014. It presents the work of the city-born sculptor Pierre Soulages. It is surrounded by a large park that serves recreational purposes.
