A 55-minute discovery trail starts at a swimming area on the Aveyron; Château d’Ardus and the churches of Cos, meanwhile, tell very different stories about Lamothe-Capdeville. Nature, hiking trails and architectural history therefore stand as distinct themes. To plan your day, you can start with a visit to Plage d’Ardus, choose a route through the hilly countryside or focus on historic buildings and the dates associated with them.
Swimming area on the Aveyron and discovery trail
Plage d’Ardus is a natural swimming area formed by the calm waters of the Aveyron. The designated area covers 5,000 m², with a maximum depth of 2 m. Along the shore, there are benches, a shady lawn, a boules court and a picnic area. There is also a fishing jetty and step-free access. Plage d’Ardus therefore offers several ways to enjoy the same place: swimming, taking a break in the shade, playing boules or having a picnic.
The designated swimming area is supervised in July and August; seasonal supervision follows local operating regulations. If you are planning to swim during these months, check local information about supervision in advance.
The PR1 “Les Coteaux d’Ardus” discovery trail is 4.7 km long, takes 55 minutes and is of moderate difficulty. It starts at Plage d’Ardus and leads through hilly countryside with traditional cultivated areas and natural areas where orchids are abundant. The route also includes a viewpoint, a rest area and discovery stops. Its length, duration and difficulty offer practical points of reference for planning; the scenery and stops give the trail its own distinctive focus.
Between village churches, hamlets and hilltop trails
The PR2 “De St Saturnin à Notre Dame” is an out-and-back route that runs between the two village churches. It connects the hamlets of Ardus and Cos, follows hilltop trails and descends into the valley. The two routes therefore offer different points of reference: the PR1 is described by its distance, duration and difficulty, while the churches, hamlets and valley route shape the description of the PR2.
Château d’Ardus and its architectural history
Château d’Ardus was built in the 18th century, with construction taking place in 1780. The château includes a round music room decorated by Ingres père and a dovecote dating from the construction period, adorned with glazed tiles. On October 11, 1971, the château’s façades and roofs, along with the music room and its furnishings, were partially classified as historic monuments. The classification therefore covers both exterior elements and the music room, including its furnishings.
Cos and the Church of Saint-Saturnin
The original Church of Saint-Saturnin de Cos dates from the early Middle Ages and was confirmed in the bull of Urban II in 1097. Cos, also known as Cosa, has been known since the 1st century BC. These dates relate to different historical reference points: the early date applies to Cos or Cosa, while the Middle Ages and the confirmation in 1097 concern the original church. This helps distinguish the chronology of the place name from that of the church when exploring the area’s history.
Discover more destinations: Tréjouls, Touffailles, Escazeaux, Corbarieu, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, Saint-Nicolas-De-La-Grave, Bourret, Saint-Urcisse.
For the broader travel overview: Tarn-Et-Garonne.
