Sightseeing in the Cantal

A visit to the perfectly preserved mediaeval town of Salers, about 45km north west of St.Jacques, is essential. The equally interesting old town of St.Flour, 40km east of St.Jacques, is built on top of a basalt rock at 900m altitude. Here is the Musèe de la Haute-Auvergne with displays of the life and work of the Cantal.

18km north east of St.Jacques is the ancient town of Murat. Built on the sides of 'Rocher de Bonnevie', it has a splendid statue of Notre-Dame-de-la-Haute-Auvergne overlooking the town. Across the Alagnon valley, perched on a rock, is the Église de Bredons. Murat also has the "Maison de la Faune".

Thiézac boasts the Chappelle-de-Notre-Dame-de-la-Consolation made famous by Anne of Austria. The Château de Pesteils is close to Vic-sur-Cère.

Near Le Lioran is the Maison du Buronnier (a reconstructed buron) where the practice and tools of cheese making are on display. In the village of Niervèze (5km from St.Jacques des Blats) is the Chaumière de Granier, the only example of a "ferme-bloc" (people,animals and provisions under one roof) in the Cantal.

Murat has some excellent shops and has a weekly market (Friday). Aurillac, 30km from St.Jacques, is the major town of the region with banks and large supermarkets plus the "Museum des Volcans".

Described as a "tourist entertainment" site is Vulcania. This is a theme park on the anatomy and behaviour of volcanoes and the earth sciences in general. The site was opened early in 2002 and has proved a hugely popular attraction. Near to Vulcania (which is 15km west of Clermont Ferrand near the village of Saint-Ours-les-Roches) is an excavated volcano, Puy Lemptégy, and tours can be made of the excavated depths of the volcano.