(Published April 2013, last updated March 2024)
A church, a school, a café, several small hotels or chambres d’hôtes—Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac is the quintessential rural French village, a place where the locals carry on with daily life, unperturbed by the steady stream of long-distance walkers passing though (although they do a fine job of looking after them!).
Although it feels quite modern after the medieval charm of Aubrac, the church here in Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac dates from the fourteenth century and the turrets and towers are a reminder that village life has been going on here for many centuries.
Our home for the night was la Tour des Chapelains—a tower built around 1475 to shelter the monks who worked in the nearby fields. The spiral steps leading up to our rooms had been worn smooth by thousands of footsteps over the past five hundred years and these thick walls, I am sure, will be sheltering pilgrims well into the future.
Welcome to La Tour des Chapelains
Before you scroll to the bottom for practical tips on where to stay and where to eat, what will you see as you wander through the village?
First things first – an Orangina at café de la Mairie
The red and white of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques points the way through town.
Entrance to the fourteenth-century church
Pretty as a picture – corner garden of la Tour des Chapelains
View from the window of la Tour des Chapelains
The morning sun has yet to hit the pilgrims bridge as we leave Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac for Saint-Côme-d’Olt
The path out of Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac climbs the ridge passing by the cemetery
And life in Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac continues on as it has for centuries
FAST FACTS
Which long-distance walk in France visits Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac?
Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy (Stage 2: Aumont-Aubrac to Figeac)
Where is Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac, France? Find it on Google maps
Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac is located 131.5 kilometres (82.2 miles) along the Chemin de Saint-Jacques. You’ll arrive in time for an early lunch on the ninth day of walking from the starting point of Le Puy-en-Velay but if you are pressed for time, Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac can be reached quite comfortably in 6 days without sacrificing any of the highlights.
Click through to find my suggested itinerary for all five stages of the walk or click through onto each of the five stages to find faster itineraries.
If you prefer to set your own agenda, I share the steps I take to plan my itinerary on any long-distance walk (using the Chemin de Stevenson as a case study)
The Compostel’Bus service runs every morning, connecting Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac with villages along the path between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques and making the return journey each afternoon. Other stops include Montbonnet, Saint-Privat-d’Allier, Monistrol-d’Allier, Saugues, Villeret-d’Apchier, La Chapelle-Saint-Roch (3 kms beyond le Sauvage), Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole, Aumont-Aubrac, Nasbinals, Aubrac, Saint-Côme-d’Olt, Espalion, Estaing, Golinhac, Espeyrac and Sénergues.
Tourist Office in Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac
You’ll find an Information Bureau on Route d’Espalion although it does have limited operating hours. If you need assistance, call in to the mairie which is located on the main square.
A map of Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac which describes some of the listed points of interest can be downloaded from the Aubrac Tourisme website.
Accommodation in Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac
No matter what type of accommodation you prefer, you’ll find something to suit your taste and budget in Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac.
I can personally recommend la Tour des Chapelains which overflowed with historical charm. There was no demi-pension option when I stayed, but breakfast was so good I wouldn’t hesitate to book it now.
Hotels
Les Coudercous—Hôtel de la Vallée
Chambres d’Hôtes
Relais Saint Jacques (8 rooms, 20 people)
Côté Boralde (4 rooms, 11 people)
Tour des Chapelains (3 rooms, 11 people)
La Carderie (3 rooms, 7 people)
Gîtes
Chez Fanny et Jérémy Gîte Communal (26 people)
Gîte Saint-André (6 rooms, 20 people)
Gîte Sarbonnel (4 rooms, 16 people)
Gîte le Lepadou-Bas (4 rooms, 10 people)
Campground
Chez Fanny et Jérémy Municipal Camping
How to book accommodation in French
Where to eat in Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac
Whether you arrive at lunch time or looking for a beer (or in my case, an Orangina) at the end of the day’s walk, you’ll find the locals and other walkers gathered at Café de la Mairie.
At dinner time, you’ll find a restaurant in each of the hotels and dinner is often included with the demi-pension rate in other accommodation.
If you need to stock up on snacks and maybe a strawberry tart for the following day, you’ll find a bakery across the road from les Coudercous.
Fresh food markets are held every Wednesday morning throughout the year and on Thursday evenings during the summer months.
Practical tips for long-distance walking—preparation, packing and avoiding blisters
Purchase the 2024 editions of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques (PDF) guidebooks
Purchase five guidebooks covering Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
