Rouergue (former name of Aveyron) fell under the sovereign power of the Count of Toulouse. In order to finance his grand role of taking part in the 1st Crusade of Godefroi de Bouillon, the Count of Toulouse, Raymond de Saint Gilles in 1112 ceded his beloved Rouergue to Richard, already Viscount of Carladez, who then took over the title of Count of Rodez from Raymond de Saint Gilles. This made him a rival to the Bishop of Rodez. When Raymond the VII died at Millau with no heirs in 1249, his son-in-law, Alphonse of Poitiers, the blood brother of Saint Louis moved closer to Rouergue bringing nearer the power of the Capetian. This was another achievement towards the unification and kingdom of France. During these times of uncertainty and the emancipation of colonists, walled towns such as Villefrance-de-Rouergue were erected.
In 1187 Alphonse II of Aragon granted municipal status to the city of Millau. This constituted the birth of the Consulate of Millau.