Aurillac

Visit Aurillac, Auvergne

Aurillac is located in the Cantal region, in south-west Auvergne (40 kilometres south of Salers).

While Aurillac doesn't have any particular magnificent sites or historical monuments, it is a pleasant place to pass some time and soak up the atmosphere. But that's not to undersell the town - it has several churches and buildings of interest, and a river runs through it...

It is an important regional centre and a bustling town with numerous shops and boutiques to explore. The buildings are tall, imposing and in the local grey stone and can be rather sombre when the sun isn't shining

There is a nice old town to visit in Aurillac, with narrow streets and a couple of shady squares, and plenty of posh shops to wear you out and cafes to refresh you in the small open squares that are dotted across the town. A significant part of the centre of the town is pedestrianised or restricted access to cars so park just outside the centre.

Don't forget to keep looking up because there are many interesting features on the buildings, and also some medieval half-timbered houses to discover.

(Aurillac curiously reminded my of the Old Town in Edinburgh (Scotland), because even when in the centre of the town you might glance up a side street and the hills of the surrounding countryside are visible along the road.)

To visit near Aurillac

The Chateau Saint-Etienne overlooking the town (also contains the Museum of the Volcanoes)

When you tire of all that shopping and relaxing, follow the 'Route des Cretes' from Aurillac, passing between the valleys of the Jordanne River and the Authre River, for some stunning views across the mountains of Cantal, then visit the pretty villages of Albinhac and Brommat.

The road to Saint-Flour also passes through very attractive scenery and is a recommended detour.

Photos of Aurillac (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Aurillac: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*;

Suggested places to visit near Aurillac, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Maurs 31km; Vieillevie 31km; Entraygues 33km; Mauriac 34km; Conques 37km; Laguiole 42km; Riom-es-Montagnes 43km; Argentat 44km; Saint-Cere 44km; Cardaillac 44km; Estaing 45km; Lacapelle-Marival 46km; Chateau Montal 46km; Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne 48km; Figeac 48km; Capdenac 48km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Aurillac

Aurillac tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Puy Griou - site of natural beauty (27km) : Puy Mary - grand site of france (28km) : Plomb du Cantal - site of natural beauty (29km) : Salins - town of art and history (30km) : Verger de Déduit - remarkable garden (31km) : Parc-arboretum de Neuvic d'Ussel - remarkable garden (52km) : Gouffre de Padirac - site of natural beauty (55km) : Jardin d'Eden du château du Colombier - remarkable garden (55km) :

French version: see Aurillac (Francais)