The 11 things to do in Salers

Visit Salers: what are the best things to do and to see in this village of Cantal, which is one of the most beautiful villages in France?

Located at the gates of the Regional Natural Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes, in the Cantal, visit Salers. Just 40 kilometers from Aurillac, don’t miss discovering this charming village, whose historical heritage is as rich as its land is renowned. Successfully a merchant city and then a city of nobles, you will find the testimonies of its past, through an incredible architecture. This fortified medieval city, in its midst, contains an exciting history in the heart, at the heart of a preserved nature.

So you're wondering what to do in Salers? They tell you everything here!

1. The Church of Saint-Mathieu of Salers

If you are going to visit Salers, one of the first things to see is the beautiful church of the village.

Classified Historic Monument, it combines Gothic style and Romanesque style, testimony of several phases of construction and reconstruction. Don’t miss the magnificent 17th century Aubusson tapestries inside, and the 15th century tomb painting. *

2. The Salers Museum (or The Commander's House)

Are you visiting Salers and want to know more about the history of the village and its popular traditions? Then direction the exciting Salers Museum, also called the "Maison du Commandur". Its exhibitions, located in a magnificent Renaissance bourgeois residence, are as interesting to admire as the architecture of the building.

3. La Chapelle Notre Dame de Lorette

If you are wondering what to do in Salers, then we advise you to make a stop at the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette chapel. This neo-byzantine building dates back to the 19th century. A place of pilgrimage still today, the furniture it houses and its stained-glass windows are truly worth a look.

4. Family Houses

House of Bargues

The House of Bargues is classified as a historic monument, for its facade, roof, but also its arched passage. Since the house is still inhabited by its descendants, you can visit it, but by reservation only.

La Maison du Bailliage

Discover this incredible building built in the 15th century, located on the Place Tyssandier d’Escous. You will fall under the charm of its architecture and style very marked by the Renaissance Haute Auvergnate. These towers over 20 m are just impressive.

House of Flogeac

Admire its facade, which bears the stigma of some changes it has undergone over the centuries. Then push the doors of this 16th century home, and let yourself be invaded by the history it releases.

Maison de la Ronade

If you are going to visit Salers, your look will certainly be on this strange house, or rather on this tower. High of 5 floors, it contains a screw staircase to serve them.

House of Vernhes

Following a fire that took place in 1898, this former hotel was bought by the municipality, which settled there in 1901. Today, it houses the Town Hall and the Intercommunal Tourist Office of the Country of Salers.

House of Missionaries

This beautiful building, adjacent to a pretty little chapel, was built by the diocesan missionaries in the 18th century. Today it has become a retirement home. Very nice to admire from the outside, if you will visit Salers.

5. The Esplanade of Barrouze

This beautiful park with trees and walls is located in the upper part of the village. From its "terrace" which rises to 300 m high, you will have a breathtaking view of the Cantal Mountains, as well as the 3 glacial valleys: the Maronne, the Rat and the Aspre.

To be done in Salers absolutely, for a wonderful souvenir and photo.

6. Place Tyssandier d’Escous

Going to Salers, don’t miss the main square in the centre of the village: Place Tyssandier d’Escous. It is here that proudly sits on his base, the bust of Ernest Tyssandiers d’Escous, a famous native of the village that worked for the recognition of the Beef Salers race.

Surrounded by beautiful Renaissance houses and especially the house of the Baillage, it is pleasant and lively, especially on market days.

7. The Beffroi Gate

Vestige de l’ancien rempart, la porte du Beffroi is a square tower with a vaulted door in ogive, preceded by a round tower.

The roof, some of which say that it resembles Merlin’s hat the enchanter, is lined with an iron dial containing a bell, which still rings every half hour.

8. Events and festivities

If you wonder what to do in Salers, know that the village is the host of many summer animations. Here are some appointments:

• The market Every Wednesday morning.
• The Salon des Sites Remarkables du Goût (ending April, early May)
• Pastourelle, sporting event that combines several disciplines: rando, mountain biking, races (fin May)
• Mountain Festival (ending June)
• The wool market : artisans and herders of the association the Toison d’Art offers to sell their creations and productions (in late July)
• cow and cheese day : market, animation, demonstration, tasting (early August)
• Gala folkloric 15 August

9. The Peyrade climbing site

Are you still wondering what to do in Salers? Amateurs and climbers will be delighted to learn that the village is close to an excellent spot that borders the Salers Plateau: la Peyrade. 30 tracks that can satisfy all levels, await you at 970 m altitude.

10. Hiking

If there is a must-see sport in Salers, which will delight lovers of large spaces, it is hiking. The village is the starting point of many marked trails, at the level of various difficulties. To quote only a few:

• La Montagnoune (4km)
• La Ronde de Salers (6km)
• Country GR – On the transhumance road (11km, 19.5km or the large loop of 89,5km)
• La Pastourelle (32 km or 2 circuits 16 km)
• The bridge of Saingoux (7km)

11. The products of the terroir

If you come to visit Salers, you will not be able to make an impasse on its gastronomy, which is an integral part of local culture. Indeed, the reputation of his cheese, his bovine meat, or his aperitif with extracts from the gentian roots, is no longer to be done!

Also, don’t forget to taste the culinary specialties of the Cantal region, like the truffade , drunk, pounti, or stuffed cabbage. A delight!

How to get to Salers?

You want to go visit Salers and ask yourself how to get there? They tell you everything here!

By car

• To reach the village of Salers, you will have to take the D922 road, which you arrive by the north or the south.
• The A75 and A89 motorways do not pass very far, if you arrive respectively from Montpellier or Bordeaux.
• From Aurillac, you can drive around 40 minutes.

Air/train/bus

• If you fly, the nearest airport is Aurillac Airport, located 45 km away. Larger and international, Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport is 144km away. By the way, the best option is rent a car, to fully enjoy - and especially in all autonomy - your stay.
• TER trains also serve the cities of Aurillac and Mauriac.
• You can then reach Salers by bus by using the local lines of the network "Cantal Lib'", LR102 – Mauriac / Aurillac, and LR134 – Salers / Mauriac.

Where to stay in Salers?

If you choose to visit Salers, we advise you to read our article " Where to sleep in Salers? " You will find all the most beautiful addresses of hotels, guest rooms and apartments to stay in the heart of the village. For amateur and amateur, you can also put your tent at Camping Municipal le Mouriol.

Especially, don’t hesitate to book your stay in advance, and to help you with a Compare hotels to find the cheapest rates.