Aurillac

In the Jordanne valley, at the foot of the Cantal mountains, Aurillac grew up around the Abbey of Saint-Géraud and then its castle, whose powerful 12th-century square keep still dominates the old town from its rocky promontory. The town was the birthplace of Gerbert of Aurillac, a learned monk who became Pope Sylvester II around the year 1000, and a statue of him stands on one of its squares.

The old centre, with grey basalt houses typical of Upper Auvergne, has several Renaissance mansions and a lively market, and Aurillac is known for its long tradition of umbrella making, which has earned it the nickname of world umbrella capital.

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