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Aurillac

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

Nestled in the heart of the Massif Central, at the gateway to Europe's largest volcano, Aurillac is the vibrant, hidden capital of the Haute-Auvergne region. The prefecture of the Cantal department, this ancient city, bathed by the waters of the Jordanne River, cultivates a uniquely authentic way of life. Far from being limited to its reputation as a haven from harsh winters, Aurillac surprises with its mild summers, the warmth of its colorful, southern-inspired facades, and its incredible creative energy. Between its medieval heritage, cheesemaking traditions, and cultural boldness, it offers a rejuvenating and surprising respite at the foot of the Cantal mountains.

Saint-Étienne Castle and the Volcano Museum

Proudly overlooking the town from its rocky hilltop, Château Saint-Étienne is the historic sentinel of Aurillac, its origins dating back to the early feudal era.

The medieval keep and panoramic view: The only remaining intact vestige of the original fortress, the tall, square keep built of brown stone offers, from its platform, an exceptional 360° panorama of the town's slate roofs, the Jordanne Valley, and the first verdant peaks of the Cantal mountains.

The Volcano Museum: Located within the castle walls themselves, this interactive museum offers a fascinating scientific and sensory exploration of geology. Through models, projections, and experiments, visitors can understand the birth of the Cantal volcano, a dormant giant 60 kilometers in diameter.

The castle gardens: The tree-lined terraces surrounding the fortress invite you to a bucolic and shaded break, offering an ideal haven of peace to contemplate the sun's journey over the Haute-Auvergne.

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.
Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.
Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

Umbrella craftsmanship: elegance against the elements

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

It's one of the region's most unusual industrial and artisanal prides: Aurillac is historically the French capital of umbrellas, supplying nearly half of the national production.

A tradition born in the 19th century: Linked to the itinerant trade of Cantal peddlers who traveled as far as Spain, umbrella making became established in Aurillac thanks to the presence of highly skilled artisans.

The "L'Aurillac" brand: Today, local manufacturers (like Maison Piganiol) perpetuate this precise technical skill, combining robust frames with high-end fabrics and handles made of precious wood (chestnut or rush).

The Umbrella Square: In the city center, several boutiques and workshops offer a glimpse into the secrets of crafting these objects, which have become true fashion accessories, symbols of Aurillac's resilience and elegance in the face of the vagaries of the weather.

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

The Aurillac Festival, world capital of street theatre

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation.

The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world.

Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights.

The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

Flavors of Cantal and the wild nature of the Jordanne

Aurillac is also appreciated for its generous cuisine, born from its summer pastures, and for its immediate proximity to vast natural landscapes.

The covered market and the main market (Wednesdays and Saturdays): This is the city's gourmet heart. The stalls overflow with PDO cheeses from Auvergne, starting with the majestic Cantal (young, semi-aged, or mature) and Salers. Also try the pounti (a savory cake with herbs and prunes), truffade (potatoes with fresh tome cheese), and mountain charcuterie.

The banks of the Jordanne and the Pont Rouge (Red Bridge): Developed for pedestrians and cyclists, the riverbanks run through the city, offering a refreshing stroll punctuated by old mills and picturesque stone bridges.

The Gorges of the Jordanne: Located a few kilometers from the city, this exceptional natural site offers a walking trail with suspended wooden walkways, allowing you to delve into the heart of a wild and shaded canyon, along the clear water.

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation. The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world. Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights. The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

The Abbey Church of Saint-Géraud, a place of spirituality

The Abbey Church of Saint-Géraud in Aurillac is a jewel of spirituality and history, built upon the remains of a powerful abbey founded in the 9th century by the city's patron saint.

A transitional architecture: Although rebuilt several times, it offers a fascinating blend of styles. Its imposing structure testifies to the abbey's past grandeur, which was once one of the most brilliant intellectual centers in Europe.

The shadow of the Pope of the Year 1000: It was within these walls that Gerbert of Aurillac, the first French pope under the name Sylvester II, was educated. Walking on the abbey church's grounds, one follows in the footsteps of this visionary scholar who introduced Arabic numerals to the West.

Interior treasures: Inside, the atmosphere is one of contemplation. One can admire refined woodwork, majestic organs, and side chapels housing precious relics.

A beating heart of the historic district: The building is the ideal starting point for exploring the old Saint-Géraud district, with its cobbled squares and cloister remains, where the medieval soul of Aurillac still beats.

Conclusion

Aurillac is a destination that rewards the effort and appreciation for its authenticity. Far from the hustle and bustle of major cities, it offers a perfect balance between preserved heritage, unspoiled nature within easy reach, and boundless creativity. Whether you're drawn to the peaks of Puy Mary or the energy of its festivals, Aurillac welcomes you with the warmth typical of mountain regions. It's a city that, like its climate, never fails to leave an impression.

Aurillac Country Tourist Office

Information Regarding Visuals: This website uses computer-generated images and illustrations created by artificial intelligence for atmospheric and stylistic purposes. These representations are not actual photographs and are strictly non-binding.

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