Aurillac Travel Guide

City City in France known for its scenic views

Perched near the Cantal mountains, Aurillac attracts hikers and cheese pilgrims: Cantal caves and alpine pastures shape the menu. In August the streets fill with street-theatre troupes and a carnival-like energy.

Costs

Very affordable (~$80/day)

Cheap local food and budget hotels; expect $60-$100 daily outside festival periods.

Safety

Generally safe and friendly

Safe small city; festival crowds are lively but manageable.

Best Time

July-September (festival and outdoors)

August for the famous street-theatre festival; summer for mountain access.

In This Guide

Why Visit Aurillac?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

34,724

Infrastructure & Convenience

Compact centre is walkable; rural roads and limited public transport mean a car helps.

Popularity

Bustling during the August festival; otherwise attracts nature and rural tourism.

Known For

International street-theatre festival, Cantal cheese region, volcanic landscapes, Puy Mary access, hiking, medieval streets, local markets, paragliding

Aurillac hosts one of Europe's largest street-theatre festivals every August, drawing thousands of performers.

Why Visit Aurillac? #

A mountain gateway where volcanic plateaus meet traditional Auvergnat culture, Aurillac appeals to outdoor lovers and food fans alike. The nearby Cantal massif and Puy Mary offer dramatic hiking and ski terrain, while the town’s famed street theatre festival in August turns narrow streets into performance stages. Local specialities such as Cantal cheese and rustic mountain dishes anchor visits in strong culinary traditions.

Top Things to Do in Aurillac

All Attractions ›

Abbey Church of Saint Foy

Romanesque pilgrimage church in Conques with medieval relics

Religious Site

Plomb du Cantal

Extinct volcanic summit and highest point in Cantal

Mountain

Puy Mary

Ancient volcanic peak with dramatic cirque views

Mountain

Don't Miss

Puy Mary - Puy Mary massif offering panoramic hikes across volcanic ridges and alpine meadows.
Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie d'Aurillac - Local museum tracing regional archaeology, folk art, and Cantal heritage displays.
Aurillac Old Town and Place Gerbert - Wander cobbled streets, timbered houses, and cafés around the main square.

Hidden Gems

Église Saint-Géraud - Église Saint-Géraud with regional religious art in a peaceful hilltop setting.
Weekly Cheese Markets - Weekly cheese markets where Cantal producers sell aged cheeses and farm specialties.
Local Artisan Stalls - Small stalls offering handmade goods and craft demonstrations from regional artisans.

Day Trips

Salers - Stone-built medieval village famed for cheese, steep streets, and preserved architecture nearby.
Conques - Pilgrim village with Sainte-Foy Abbey and narrow, car-free medieval lanes.

Best Time to Visit Aurillac #

Aurillac is at its best in summer when highland trails are open and festivals run. Winters bring snow, frequent rain, and limited accessibility.

Winter

December - February · -3-6°C (27-43°F)

Cold, snowy, and often wet - good if you like winter landscapes but expect limited road access and chilly evenings, so dress warmly.

Spring

March - May · 5-16°C (41-61°F)

Unpredictable but awakening - late snowfalls possible, yet trails start to green and festivals begin; pack layers, waterproofs, and comfortable shoes.

Summer

June - August · 12-25°C (54-77°F)

Mild days and cool nights - the best window for hiking, scenic drives, and summer festivals without the heat of lowland France or big crowds.

Best Time to Visit Aurillac #

Climate

Aurillac's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (798 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

38°

Warmest Month

-17°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-2° – 6°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

63 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.1h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-2° – 8°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

1° – 11°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

51 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

3° – 14°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

High

13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 87 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

7° – 18°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

87 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

14.6h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

10° – 22°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

74 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

12° – 25°

70%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

53 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

11° – 24°

67%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

Very High

13.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

8° – 20°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

71 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

High

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

6° – 16°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

81 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

1° – 10°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-1° – 7°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.7h daylight

How to Get to Aurillac

Aurillac is a small regional centre in Cantal; it's accessible by a small regional airport and by TER rail from Clermont-Ferrand and Brive. Public transport schedules are limited compared with larger cities, so plan connections, especially outside business hours.

By Air

Aurillac Airport (AUR): Aurillac has a small regional airport with scheduled flights (often to Paris-Orly); a short taxi ride (10-20 min) takes you to the town centre. Taxi fares are typically €10-€25 depending on time and luggage.

Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne (CFE): Larger nearby airport; road or rail transfers to Aurillac take about 1.5-2.5 hours. Coach or train combinations cost roughly €10-€30 depending on service and advance purchase.

By Train & Bus

Train: Aurillac station is on regional lines connecting to Clermont-Ferrand and Brive, with services operated by SNCF TER. Journey times vary (Clermont ≈2-2.5 h) and fares are modest for regional trips (often €10-€25).

Bus: Regional coaches link Aurillac with smaller Cantal towns and stations; local bus connections serve nearby villages. Tickets are inexpensive but services can be infrequent, especially off-peak.

How to Get Around Aurillac #

Aurillac’s town centre is fairly walkable though it’s built on hilly terrain - wear sensible shoes. Regional buses and the Aurillac train station connect to surrounding towns; local taxi services cover flexible hours. If you plan to explore the Cantal countryside, a car is convenient, but within town most places are a short bus or taxi ride away and fares are modest.

Where to Stay in Aurillac #

Budget

Aurillac centre - €45-100/night

Aurillac has modest budget hotels and family guesthouses. Simple, practical stays suitable for exploring the Cantal region; options are limited outside summer.

B&B / Ibis budget (Aurillac) - Economy chain options in town
Small guesthouses - Local, affordable B&Bs

Mid-Range

City centre - €70-140/night

The mid-range market offers comfortable, central hotels with decent amenities. Great base for hiking and visiting regional parks; book ahead in high season.

Local 3★ hotels (Aurillac) - Comfortable, central hotels
Regional boutique hotels - Good base for rural exploration

Luxury

Regional countryside / Clermont-Ferrand - €180+/night

Aurillac itself lacks big luxury hotels. Upscale château relais and full-service five-star properties are found in larger regional cities, a drive away.

Upscale country relais nearby - Château stays a drive away
Major-city five-star hotels (Clermont-Ferrand) - Luxury properties in regional cities

Where to Eat in Aurillac #

Auvergne Comfort Food

Cheese, Charcuterie & Cafés

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Aurillac's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

French

Burger

Regional

Coffee Shop

Kebab

Japanese

Breakfast

Cake

Fish

Asian

Crepe

Pasta

Sushi

Bistro

Korean

Chinese

American

European

Sandwich

Nightlife in Aurillac #

Aurillac’s nightlife is modest outside festival periods: you’ll find convivial bars and a few live-music venues. The town comes alive during the annual street-theatre festival in August, when evening activity increases significantly.

Shopping in Aurillac #

Shopping focuses on local producers - bakeries, butchers and shops selling Cantal cheese and mountain products. Weekly markets and specialist food shops are the best places to find regional specialties.