Located on the banks of the Jordanne, Aurillac is a historically rich city that dates back to Gallo-Roman times. It was originally known as Aureliacum and came to prominence following the birth of Count Gerald of Aurillac, who went on to found a Benedictine monastery that still stands today.
Things to do in Aurillac
Rising atop a hill north of Aurillac is the Château Saint-Etienne, a military castle that dates back to the 9th century. It is home to the Museum of Volcanoes, where you’ll find exhibits related to geology and paleobotany. A highlight of the museum is the 19th-century herbarium of Eugene Jordan de Puyfol, which showcases the flora of the region.
History buffs should visit the Museum of Art and Archaeology, which occupies a 17th-century convent that was later used as a stud farm. Learn about life in Cantal in times gone by and get up close to Mesolithic tools and burial objects from the Iron Age. Also on display are locally made parasols and works by regional artists.
One of the city’s most beautiful religious buildings is the Abbey of Saint-Geraud d’Aurillac, a former Benedictine monastery that was an important intellectual hub during the Middle Ages. While it has been in existence since at least the 9th century, it has been added to and remodelled over the years. Admire the beautiful carvings and stained-glass windows or coincide your visit with an organ recital to experience the abbey in all its glory.
Getting around Aurillac
Aurillac is around two hours' drive from Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport, which has limited flights to destinations across Europe. The much larger Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is three hours away. Regular trains connect to the Aurillac railway station and buses travel through the city.