Discover Saint-Chély-D’aubrac

Saint-Chély-D’aubrac brings together a clearly defined landscape, cultural history, botanical themes, and a specific circular walking route. If you are looking for a hotel in the village, you can choose where to stay based on your interests: would you like to include historic buildings, Aubrac plants, or a hike in your plans? The bridge, church, garden, and circular route each offer a distinct focus.

Landscape in the Boralde Valley

Saint-Chély-D’aubrac lies in the valley shaped by the Boralde de Saint-Chély, between the Aubrac Plateau and the Lot Valley. The Boralde defines the valley, while the plateau and Lot Valley are its two named geographical reference points. This gives the village a clear geographical setting. You encounter the Boralde again at the Pont des Pèlerins: the bridge crosses the river, connecting the landscape with a landmark of the village’s history.

Pilgrims’ Bridge and church architecture

The Pont des Pèlerins dates from the 14th century and crosses the Boralde de Saint-Chély. A stone cross featuring a bas-relief of a pilgrim stands on its parapet. Today, too, hikers use the bridge when travelling from Le Puy-en-Velay towards Santiago de Compostela. Its historic construction and present-day use along the route coexist here: the bridge is one of the 78 elements of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France.” It is therefore both a structure featuring its own pilgrim motif and part of a wider cultural heritage.

At the church of Saint-Chély-D’aubrac, different architectural details take centre stage. It has unusual double wooden galleries and houses a 14th-century altarpiece, considered one of the earliest in Europe. Together, these offer two distinct perspectives on the village’s cultural heritage: at the bridge, the river crossing and depiction of a pilgrim stand out; at the church, the galleries and altarpiece take prominence. The altarpiece also provides a distinct point of reference in the history of the period.

Aubrac flora

The Jardin Botanique de l’Aubrac in the Aubrac village of Saint-Chély-D’aubrac showcases more than 500 wild plant species native to the Aubrac in recreated habitats. The variety of species and the habitats on display together define the garden’s character. For planning around your interests, this offers a different focus from the buildings: here, plants and their place in recreated habitats take centre stage, while the bridge and church reflect the village’s cultural history.

La voie romaine: an easy circular walk

La voie romaine begins at Place de la Mairie in Saint-Chély-D’aubrac. The circular route is an easy 8.5-kilometre walk and takes about two hours. Along the way, it follows the Boralde de Saint-Chély, passes through woodland and along dry-stone paths, and partly follows the old Roman road. The walk thus combines specific distance and time estimates with several described landscapes and types of path. You can use the approximate duration as a guide when planning this hike. Check trail conditions and access details before setting out, as they may change seasonally.

Discover more destinations: Anglars-Saint-Félix, Sainte-Radegonde, Salles-la-Source, Salles-Courbatiès, Curières, Sainte-Croix, Lacalm, Montézic.

For the broader travel overview: Aveyron.