Aurillac 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.
Aurillac at a Glance#
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.
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.
Best Things to Do in Aurillac#
Aurillac Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 6° | -1° | 63 mm | overcast | 91% | 3.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| February | Acceptable | -2° - 8° | 0° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 3.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Good | 1° - 11° | 3° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 3.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 14° | 6° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 7° - 18° | 12° | 87 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.6h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 22° | 16° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.3h |
| July | Excellent | 12° - 25° | 18° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.0h |
| August | Excellent | 11° - 24° | 18° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.8 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 8° - 20° | 14° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.8 m/s | 1.0 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| November | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 3° | 65 mm | overcast | 90% | 3.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 7° | 0° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 91% | 3.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
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.
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.
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 is a regional hub best accessed by TER rail or via the small Aurillac airport; internal travel is easiest by car or local bus. Because services are less frequent than in big cities, plan connections in advance.
- SNCF TER regional trains (€10-€30) - TER services connect Aurillac with Clermont-Ferrand, Le Puy and Brive; trains are the most reliable way to travel to larger regional hubs. Timetables can be limited, so check schedules in advance and reserve for popular routes when possible.
- Regional coaches / buses (€2-€15) - Coaches fill gaps between towns not on the rail network and are used for local commuting. Services are affordable but often infrequent, so time your journeys around published timetables.
- Taxi (€10-€40) - Taxis are useful for airport transfers and for reaching dispersed rural attractions. They are more expensive than local buses but offer door-to-door convenience, especially with luggage or on late arrivals.
- Car hire (€35-€80 per day) - Hiring a car is the most flexible way to explore Cantal’s dispersed sights and mountain roads. Roads are scenic; winter conditions can require care and sometimes snow tyres or chains.
- Bicycle (€10-€30) - Cycling is popular for short trips around Aurillac and nearby valleys; the terrain can be hilly, so e-bikes are a good option if you plan long rides. Bike rentals are limited-reserve in season.
- Walking - Aurillac’s compact centre and nearby walking trails make walking a convenient way to see the town and surrounding nature. Wear sturdy shoes for hillier trails outside the town.
Where to Stay in Aurillac#
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
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
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
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Aurillac’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
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.
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.
