The highlands of AUBRAC

The magical scenery of Aubrac will take your breath away with its immaculate whiteness in winter, its constantly changing light and its myriad of faces.  There to welcome you among the shepherd huts known as « burons » are Aubrac cattle, easily recognised by their black-rimmed eyes. In May, adorned with flowers, pompoms and rosettes, they return to the high summer pastures. Their milk is an ingredient of many delicious specialities including ‘tome fraîche’ cheese (the main ingredient of Aligot) and Laguiole AOP cheese.

Aubrac, is also the home of world famous Laguiole knives, symbol of Aveyron. The village of Aubrac is a place of pilgrimage as it is on the Via Podiensis pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela and is the site of La Domerie, a 12th century monastery-hospital for pilgrims. Aubrac is a vast landscape of steppes with exceptional flora and fauna, which is transformed by snow into a magnificent winter sports area to be enjoyed by all.

Aubrac a vast adventure playground for all the family

Aubrac is the ultimate outdoor destination at any time of year. Winter sports have pride of place with two family resorts for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding. Spring is the ideal season for observing the magnificent flora of more than 1,000 species including ‘thé d’Aubrac’ and the famous drosera carnivorous plant. It is also the time when animals return to their summer pastures. In summer, the lunar landscape is the backdrop for adventure (mountain biking, horse riding, golf, walking, sight-seeing) with activities to suit all tastes ! In autumn, the forests of Aubrac echo to the powerful roar of rutting stags. 

These vast open spaces are ideal for walkers with the GR65 hiking path to Santiago de Compostela and a network of paths running through the countryside past waterfalls, peat bogs, wayside crosses, bridges, bread ovens and the surrounding villages of Cassuéjouls, Laguiole, Aubrac, Soulages Bonneval, Montpeyroux, Aunac, Curières, St Chély d’Aubrac.

After a brisk walk, there’s nothing like some good local food to recharge your batteries : aligot, pounti, farçous, stuffed cabbage, Aubrac beef, fouace, etc… Lovers of gourmet food can visit the Abbaye de Bonneval, an old Cistercian monastery now renowned for its excellent chocolates, or enjoy a meal at the well-known restaurant run by Michel and Sébastien Bras.

Cutlery-making in Laguiole is still a vibrant activity. The Musée du Couteau de Laguiole and several workshops are open all year round so visitors can discover the different stages of manufacture and the unique savoir-faire, between tradition and modernity, of cutler craftsmen. And don’t leave without visiting the Laguiole cheese factory, a treat for the senses ! Events are held in Aubrac all year round : transhumance (taking animals to summer pastures),  the davalada, ‘les traces du fromage’ walk, etc.