a town of France, capital of the department of Aveyron, on a hill washed on three sides by a curve of the Aveyron, which flows 150 feet below, 312 miles S. of Paris. Owing to the nature of the site, most of the streets in the town are steep, and their narrowness is increased by the projecting fronts of the houses, which are for the most part meanly built of wood. The fortifications that once enclosed the place are now turned into public walks, commanding a wide prospect over a somewhat bleak country. The most conspicuous building is the cathedral, whose erection was spread over two centuries, from the end of the thirteenth. Its richly-carved belfry rises to the height of 265 feet; and many of its internal ornaments are very fine. Rodez has also an episcopal palace, town-hall, prefect's office, Jesuits' college, public library, Cordeliers' monastery, and an hospital; manufactures of leather, serge, candles, hats, and playing-cards are carried on; and there are also dye-works and worsted-mills in the town. The trade is considerable in manufactured articles, wool from the neighbouring country, and cheese. Rodez contains a court of law, chamber of manufactures, schools, scientific societies, museum, &c. Pop. (1856) 8479.