Bozouls, Medieval commune in Aveyron, France
Bozouls is a small French commune perched dramatically along the edges of a deep limestone gorge carved by the Dourdou River. The houses cascade down the steep slopes in terraced layers, creating an unusual amphitheater of stone and architecture.
The community developed in the Middle Ages around a fortress built at the canyon's edge to protect local residents. This fortification shaped settlement patterns for centuries to come.
The Saint Faust Church, constructed in the 12th century, stands prominently at the edge of the canyon, representing regional Romanesque architecture.
A network of marked hiking trails circles the canyon, offering various viewpoints across the geological formation. The best explorations unfold from multiple positions to fully grasp the gorge's structure.
The gorge forms a distinctive horseshoe or semicircular shape that becomes especially striking when viewed from above. This natural geometry makes the location particularly interesting from geological and photographic angles.
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