The 9 essential things to do in the Aubrac Regional Natural Park

Do you want to find the treasures of our beautiful country? Go to the Aubrac Regional Natural Park, the new pearl of French heritage!

« Douce France, dear country of my childhood » sang Charles Trenet . Yet, with the advent of world tourism, we are more easily out of our country to visit it on the other side of the world. A priori, it is quite normal, because the disbursement makes you dream, and the unknown cultures attract curiosity. But let us not forget that our country is a rich land: heritage, culture, nature or even gastronomy, it has everything for it. Then go to the discovery of the Aubrac Regional Natural Park, riding on three departments: Aveyron, Cantal and Lozère; and two regions: Occitanie and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Created in 2018 by decree, it is a large park of more than 2,200 square kilometers characterized by its contrasts. Variations in altitude, soil or climate, it houses a unique fauna and flora. We can mention the bovine species that owes its name: the Aubrac, a race anchored in its terroir, whose quality and tradition are still preserved. To discover the entire territory as well as its secrets, we have uncovered the 9 things to do to visit the Regional Natural Park of Aubrac.

1. Doing hiking

Nothing like this to discover a park than to survey it. The geographical location of the Aubrac Regional Natural Park offers the possibility to borrow mountain trails or plateaus, valleys and meadows.

Compostela Road by GR®6

It is known that the occitane and Auvergnate regions are crossed by one of the immense pilgrimage paths to Santiago de Compostela. This is the GR®65, one of the most well-known paths, which you can take a part. Between Aumont-Aubrac and Saint-Côme-d’Olt, passing via Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac and Nasbinals, let yourself be seduced by the park and the still wild nature. You will pass on the paths taken by pilgrims for centuries.

While you were travelling for spiritual, religious or sporty reasons, don’t forget to lift your eyes to what is around you. Time and men left traces.

“Rand’Aubrac” from Chaudes-Aigues in Saint-Urcize (June)

Organized by the Bureau de Tourisme de Chaudes-Aigues, Rand’Aubrac is a highly anticipated annual event. It takes place in June. In fact, this is a large, framed, open-ended course, in the spirit of discovering or rediscovering the region and of course, making you visit the Regional Natural Park of Aubrac.

There are, at the choice, four different paths from 12 to 33 kilometers. On the menu, from walking in the good mood, many supplies and of course, on arrival, a local meal for all participants!

The Gorges du Bès

On the border in Cantal and Lozère, the Gorges du Bès, the confluent river of the Truyère, stand proudly. Take the time for a dose of nature and enjoy a maximum of pure air. Follow a narrow and steep trail offering impressive landscapes, from the valley, to the ruins of the Château d’Arzenc d’Apcher.

With some physical effort, the Gorges du Bès will open up to you and offer you a new perspective on the region. Be careful, you may cross pasture animals, avoid bringing your dog.

2. Enjoy the Chaudes-Aigues spa

The city Chaudes-Aigues is home to a natural thermal resort in incredible history. First of all a spa town under the Roman Empire, it is from the year 450 that the quality of its warm waters is recognized. Then, from the Middle Ages to today, despite some changes in owners, the station remained accessible. There are several sources that spring up there, spilling water up to 82°C (source of the Par).

Come and enjoy a small natural spa in the heart of the Aubrac Regional Natural Park.

3. Attend a transhumance

At the end of May, every year, there is an ancestral tradition: transhumance. The Aubrac cows then transfer to the plateau, which spring has enriched for them green pastures. With coloured crowns of flowers, it cross roads, villages and fields to the summer meadows.

Hundreds of spectators and spectators come every year to observe the cattle and enjoy the animations organized in their honor. It is usually a whole weekend of celebrations, exhibitions and visits, for the happiness of the little ones, the great.e.s and the loveeu.x.ses of nature!

4. Laguiole knives, origins

Visiting the Aubrac Regional Natural Park is interested in the surrounding nature, but also in local crafts. The very charming village of Laguiole, spoken by the locals, is located in the center of the park and not far from Saint-Urcize. Of course, you are advised to visit the Laguiole knife museum, the forged object and the sharp tool. It retraces the history of this object, which became the emblem of a village. Many cutlery are present in Laguiole, in which you can sometimes attend the realization of a knife, or simply buy it.

The village of Laguiole is also worth a visit, with its church and panorama on the plateau of Aubrac.

5. Eating the products of the Aubrac

If visiting the Aubrac Regional Natural Park inevitably leads to nature and the environment, it should not be forgotten that the creation of such a park also highlights the local area. The terroir includes crafts, culture but above all, local gastronomy! And on this side, the Aubrac is not left.

After a hike or a bike ride on the trays, take the time to taste an aligot (purred to the tome) in one of the burons, or taste the stuffed cabbage or stuffing. Why not give in to the temptation of a truffle of the Aubrac or a whisper (a typical fragrant bun)? Discover also local cheeses including the Laguiole AOP, another village pride.

6. Discover the particular geology of the park

The Aubrac Regional Natural Park, in addition to being very green, has a unique geological character. He trained on a basaltic basis, due to the past effusive activity of volcanoes. Also, you can see shale, granite or gneiss deposits depending on where you are.

Nevertheless, be at the turn of your walks or hikes, on the basaltic seaweeds, column formations that will love you. In particular, you will find them at stunts such as the Saltou or the Déroc.

8. The village of Saint-Urcize, small town of character

Saint-Urcize is a pleasant small mountain village, on the edge of the department of Aveyron, adjacent to the Lozère. A city of character dating from the 16th century, one of its main points of interest, in addition to the view of the mountain, is its church with its walk-in and roundness.

However, its alleys, blossoms and stone walls give it a singular atmosphere, if not medium-ageing, very appreciable. On the outskirts, nature: lake, waterfalls and green meadows filled with Aubrac cows (of course!) circle the village. In winter, a ski resort opens its four tracks for the pleasures of ski lovers!

9. The village of Montpeyroux

Montpeyroux, beautiful village of charm and character, houses a splendid castle. Bousquet Castle is the emblem of this picturesque little hamlet. This historic monument of the 14th century is in an exceptional state of conservation! Indeed, the latter is inhabited and furnished.

What are you waiting to discover Montpeyroux and its sublime and mysterious castle?

How to go to the Aubrac Regional Natural Park?

To make and visit the Aubrac Regional Natural Park from France, you have two options: the car or the train. The nearest major cities are Aurillac and Rodez, but there are also cities like Toulouse, Montpellier and Lyon a little further.

By car

• Paris (via Clermont-Ferrand): follow the A10, the A71 and the A75.
• Bordeaux (via Brive-la-Gaillarde and Aurillac): follow the A89, the D921, the D1120 and finally the D120.
• Lyon (via Le Puy-en-Velay): follow the A47 and the N88.
• Montpellier : follow the A75.

By train

Generally via Clermont-Ferrand or Brive-la-Gaillarde, there are many train lines to visit the Aubrac Regional Natural Park. You will have no difficulty finding railway lines. One of the main stations in the region is that of Aumont-Aubrac , located full east, or Saint-Flour , slightly outside the park but still close.

Where to stay near the Aubrac Regional Natural Park?

The accommodation is not what is missing in the park. In addition to being numerous, the accommodations are varied, from the hotel to the campsite, to the guest room and the unusual.

Among this list, we still recommend the Château de Varillettes hotel . It is a charming building renovated in a hotel. The interior, warm and welcoming, immerses you in a medieval atmosphere, as well as the garden, very beautiful and very maintained. Otherwise, for those who prefer the unusual, sleep in a mill, Moulin des Gardettes . Located in the middle of nature, this former windmill offers a breathtaking view of the Mont d’Auvergne, in an authentic atmosphere of time, thanks to the furniture and visible stones of the interior walls. A real heartburn!

Then, never forget to take a look at hotel comparisons which guarantee you the best accommodation offers at the best prices!

So, ready to visit the Parc Nature régional de l’Aubrac during a next stay?