Marchastel: Hiking, Volcanic Landscapes and Cultural Heritage

Marchastel brings together the Aubrac landscape, trails, striking geological features and historic buildings. The Motte de Marchastel is a 1,266 m-high volcanic basalt promontory, smoothed by a glacier. From the summit, panoramic views extend across the Aubrac Plateau. The Lac de Saint-Andéol offers a different perspective on the landscape: the 12-hectare lake lies in an ancient volcanic crater within the municipality of Marchastel.

Crater lake, wetlands and orientation panel

Wetlands connected to the Lac de Saint-Andéol provide a habitat for species such as the Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) and the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia). Alongside the volcanic formation of the Motte, the lake and wetlands represent another natural aspect of the surrounding area.

At Roc des Loups stands the Oculus, a vertical stone orientation and interpretation panel. It was installed on 26 May 2023 and is located 100 m from the Way of St James. The panel’s edge depicts surrounding peaks, places, forests, peat bogs and extinct volcanoes. The Motte, the lake and this labelled landscape representation offer different points of interest if you are interested in geology, nature or finding your way around the Aubrac.

Hiking and trails in the area

The Petite randonnée (PR) trail from Marchastel is 5 km long and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It follows paths to the Bès and Rieutort before returning to the village. The approximate duration gives you a guide for planning your time. Trails may be wet and conditions can change, so check them before setting off.

The Marchastel Bridge is also a destination for hikers. It spans the Bès east of the village and is also known as the Bukinkan Bridge. Built in the 16th century, it is considered a point of interest for hikers. Separately, a minor road from the Marchastel Bridge via Rieutort to Malbouzon tells an older story of the route: it follows the course of the Roman road from Toulouse to Lyon.

Church and Aubrac heritage

The Church of Sainte-Croix-et-Saint-Pierre combines simple Romanesque features on its façade with several carefully described details. The granite portal is on the south side, while the west façade has a bell gable. Inside, the single-nave church has a barrel vault; it also features two square side chapels, a wood-and-gold altarpiece and a baptismal font topped by a cross.

The church is permanently open for individual, free visits. A visit takes 30 minutes on average. As access arrangements may change, it is advisable to check access locally before your trip. This helps you plan your visit and combine it with Marchastel’s other architectural and landscape features.

Burons are also part of the Aubrac’s cultural character: Marchastel is one of the municipalities in the region with one of the largest numbers of burons. For a meal, there is the Buron de Born in Marchastel. Its terrace overlooks the Lac de Born. It serves traditional dishes featuring charcuterie, aligot, retortillat and Aubrac beef. The establishment operates seasonally; opening times and dishes on offer may change.

Discover more destinations: Auroux, Prévenchères, Moissac Vallée F., Langogne, Montchamp, Saint-Germain-De-Calberte, Marvejols, Bédouès

For the main travel overview: Lozère.