DiscoverThe village of Aubrac

Aubrac

Aubrac is the highest village in the Aveyron department. Located in the heart of the Aubrac plateau, it has a mountain climate: winters are harsh and long, bringing intense cold and snowstorms, while summers are sunny. The village owes its existence to the creation of a monastic hospital, which was originally a refuge for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The bell known as “des perdus” or “des égarés”, housed in the church tower, was used during the hospital’s period of operation to guide pilgrims or travellers crossing the plateau in bad weather.

Getting there

Aubrac, an ancient village

Aubrac dates back to the 12th century, and its history is inextricably linked with the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, since the village was built near an ancient route used to cross the Aubrac plateau: the Via Podiensis, now one of the most popular pilgrimage routes in France. The Pilgrim ‘s Way to Santiago de Compostela was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. The section of the GR 65 passing through the village of Aubrac has been classified as a “Natural Asset” for its diversity of flora and fauna. The village of Aubrac is also on the GRP Tour des Monts d’Aubrac, a must for exploring this vast plateau.

Discover Aubrac

Aubrac, a fast-growing village

Aubrac also flourished as a place to live. These were all built around the monastery. Today, the village is one of the main tourist centers on the Aubrac plateau, despite its low permanent population. As a result of this boom, a fair for young livestock and draught animals is held every year on October 3. A “fête de la transhumance” (transhumance festival ) is also held every year on the weekend closest to May 25, the date when the herds went up to the mountain pastures when Laguiole cheese was made in the burons.

Visit to the village of Aubrac in Aveyron.

The Maison de l’Aubrac and its botanical garden

Once in the village of Aubrac, don’t miss the Maison de l’Aubrac. From April to October, the Maison de l’Aubrac welcomes you to discover Aubrac in all its forms… Here you’ll find a wealth of tourist information, as well as cultural areas dedicated to heritage and exhibitions… Just below the Maison de l’Aubrac, you’ll find the botanical garden, where you can discover over 650 plant species found on the plateau: peat bog plants, streamside plants, forest plants, pasture plants, rock garden plants…

Ideally situated between the three départements of Lozère, Cantal andAveyron, and in the middle of the Aubrac Regional Nature Park, the village of Aubrac is renowned as a place of refuge for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This makes it the ideal location for the Maison de l’Aubrac.