Aubrac
Encyclopedia
Aubrac is a town in the southern Massif Central
of France. The name is also applied to the surrounding landscape, which is properly called L'Aubrac in French. The Aubrac region has been a member of the Natura 2000
network since August 2006. It straddles three départements - Cantal
, Aveyron
and Lozère
- and three région
s - Auvergne
, Midi-Pyrénées
and Languedoc-Roussillon
.
, lac de Saint-Andéol
, lac de Souveyrols
and lac de Born
. At the south, the highest summits of the Aubrac dominate the Lot valley, which is located 1000 m below.
" cheese is made by a dairy in the village of Laguiole and resembles Cantal cheese
.
Moreover, the region is also known for its knife industry: indeed, it is here that the Laguiole knife
is made by around thirty local craftsmen.
By 1000 BC the Celts had occupied the region. In the period of Roman Gaul
, Gaulish tribes called Gabalians (Lozère) and Rutènians
(Aveyron) occupied the area. Julius Caesar
stated that the Gabalians were survivors of the Battle of Alesia
. Their capital Anderitum became Javols
. The Rutenians, who may have come from the Danube
delta and who gave their name to the Rouergue
, became allied with Vercingetorix
.
In the early Middle Ages
, Grégory of Tours
recorded an incident of a Pagan
rite
at the lake near Mount Hélanus. Later, a pilgrim
of St. James, Adallard (a Flemish
viscount
), survived after a fight in the area; out of gratitude to God
he built the Dômerie (hospital) at Aubrac. The town of Aubrac grew around the hospital.
The Dômerie was home to monk
s and the knights of the Order of Aubrac
until the French Revolution
. The monks fed and sheltered passing pilgrims, and rang a "Bell of the Lost" during times of snow. The rules of life at the Dômerie in Latin
dating from the Middle Ages
are available in an online version.
In the 11th century a certain Gilbert, who married Tiburge, countess of Provence
, appointed himself count of Gévaudan. This Gilbert had a daughter, Douce I, Countess of Provence, who was married to Ramon Berenguer
, Count of Barcelona, and brought him all the rights to Gévaudan, Aubrac and Carladès.
The rule of the counts of Barcelona in Gévaudan gave rise to a serious argument with the bishop of Mende, who considered himself lord and count of the country. After many local conflicts and the war between the lords of Armagnac
's French kings Charles VII
and Louis XI
this country lost its true identity. However, the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela
has always brought many visitors.
Massif Central
The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaux....
of France. The name is also applied to the surrounding landscape, which is properly called L'Aubrac in French. The Aubrac region has been a member of the Natura 2000
Natura 2000
Natura 2000 is an ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union.-Origins:In May 1992, the governments of the European Communities adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the...
network since August 2006. It straddles three départements - Cantal
Cantal
Cantal is a department in south-central France. It is named after the Cantal mountain range, a group of extinct, eroded volcanic peaks, which covers much of the department. Residents are known as Cantaliens or Cantalous....
, Aveyron
Aveyron
Aveyron is a département in southern France named after the Aveyron River.- History :Aveyron is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790....
and Lozère
Lozère
Lozère , is a department in southeast France near the Massif Central, named after Mont Lozère.- History :Lozère is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
- and three région
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
s - Auvergne
Auvergne (région)
Auvergne is one of the 27 administrative regions of France. It comprises the 4 departments of Allier, Puy de Dome, Cantal and Haute Loire.The current administrative region of Auvergne is larger than the historical province of Auvergne, and includes provinces and areas that historically were not...
, Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region of metropolitan France by area, larger than the Netherlands or Denmark.Midi-Pyrénées has no historical or geographical unity...
and Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the 27 regions of France. It comprises five departments, and borders the other French regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées on the one side, and Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean sea on the other side.-Geography:The region is...
.
Geography, geology
This country is a volcanic and granitic plateau (1 500 km²). The volcanic eruptions are dated from 6 to 9 millions of years and were of Hawaiian type with fluid lavas. Therefore, there are not individualized volcanos. This volcanic zone dominates on the east an other part of the plateau which is made of granite. The average altitude of the plateau is about 1200 meters with its highest point at 1469 m (Signal de Mailhebiau) at the south. All the region has been eroded by glaciers during three glacial periods. The region counts four glacial lakes : lac des SalhiensLac des Salhiens
Lac des Salhiens is a lake located in Lozère, France, on the Aubrac plateau. It has a glacial origin like the other lakes located in this area . Its surface area is 0.06 km²....
, lac de Saint-Andéol
Lac de Saint-Andéol
Lac de Saint-Andéol is a lake in Lozère, France, located on the Aubrac plateau. It has an elevation of 1225 m and its surface area is 0.11 km². It's the most important lake of the Aubrac plateau and it's known for its legends. It has a glacial origin like the other lakes located in this area ....
, lac de Souveyrols
Lac de Souveyrols
Souveyrols lake is a lake in Lozère, France on the Aubrac plateau. It has a glacial origin. Its surface area is 0.016 km². On his banks, grows the spectacular plant named Ligularia sibirica. This boreal species is usually present in Russia and Siberia and is very rare in Western Europe....
and lac de Born
Lac de Born
Born lake is a lake in Lozère, France, located on the Aubrac plateau. It has an elevation of 1260 m . Its surface area is 0.05 km². It has a glacial origin like the other lakes located in this area...
. At the south, the highest summits of the Aubrac dominate the Lot valley, which is located 1000 m below.
Economy
Bovine breeding is the main activity on the plateau. Aubrac has its own bovine species called "Aubrac", which is well adapted to this environment. These cows are bred for their meat while, before the 60s, they were bred for their dairy products. The milk was made into cheese in "burons" or " mazucs ", which are small structures in the middle of the pastures. Today, the majority of these structures are in ruin. Today, "LaguioleLaguiole (cheese)
Laguiole , sometimes called Tome de Laguiole, is a French cheese from the plateau of Aubrac, situated at between 800 - 1500m, in the region of Aveyron in the southern part of France. It takes its name from the little village Laguiole and has been protected under the French Appellation d'Origine...
" cheese is made by a dairy in the village of Laguiole and resembles Cantal cheese
Cantal (cheese)
Cantal cheese is a firm cheese from the Cantal region of France. It is named after the Cantal mountains in the Auvergne region.One of the oldest cheeses in France, Cantal dates back to the times of the Gauls. It came to prominence when marshal Henri de La Ferté-Senneterre served it at the table of...
.
Moreover, the region is also known for its knife industry: indeed, it is here that the Laguiole knife
Laguiole knife
The Laguiole knife is a high-quality traditional Occitan pocket-knife, originally produced in the town of Laguiole in the Aveyron region of southern France....
is made by around thirty local craftsmen.
History
Roman Gaul
Roman Gaul consisted of an area of provincial rule in the Roman Empire, in modern day France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and western Germany. Roman control of the area lasted for less than 500 years....
, Gaulish tribes called Gabalians (Lozère) and Rutènians
Ruteni
The Ruteni were a tribe of Gaul. They were located in the modern region of Aveyron, and were known as producers of lead....
(Aveyron) occupied the area. Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
stated that the Gabalians were survivors of the Battle of Alesia
Battle of Alesia
The Battle of Alesia or Siege of Alesia took place in September, 52 BC around the Gallic oppidum of Alesia, a major town centre and hill fort of the Mandubii tribe...
. Their capital Anderitum became Javols
Javols
Javols is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
. The Rutenians, who may have come from the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
delta and who gave their name to the Rouergue
Rouergue
Rouergue is a former province of France, bounded on the north by Auvergne, on the south and southwest by Languedoc, on the east by Gévaudan and on the west by Quercy...
, became allied with Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix was the chieftain of the Arverni tribe, who united the Gauls in an ultimately unsuccessful revolt against Roman forces during the last phase of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars....
.
In the early Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, Grégory of Tours
Gregory of Tours
Saint Gregory of Tours was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of Gaul. He was born Georgius Florentius, later adding the name Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather...
recorded an incident of a Pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
rite
Rite
A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act. Rites in this sense fall into three major categories:* rites of passage, generally changing an individual's social status, such as marriage, baptism, or graduation....
at the lake near Mount Hélanus. Later, a pilgrim
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
of St. James, Adallard (a Flemish
Flemish people
The Flemings or Flemish are the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of Belgium, where they are mostly found in the northern region of Flanders. They are one of two principal cultural-linguistic groups in Belgium, the other being the French-speaking Walloons...
viscount
Viscount
A viscount or viscountess is a member of the European nobility whose comital title ranks usually, as in the British peerage, above a baron, below an earl or a count .-Etymology:...
), survived after a fight in the area; out of gratitude to God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
he built the Dômerie (hospital) at Aubrac. The town of Aubrac grew around the hospital.
The Dômerie was home to monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
s and the knights of the Order of Aubrac
Order of Aubrac
The Order of Aubrac was a hospitaller and military order founded, with its headquarters at Aubrac in the Diocese of Rodez, in the mid-twelfth century. The Augustinian rule was approved for the order by the bishop in 1162. Its original purpose was to safeguard the local hospital for pilgrims on the...
until the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. The monks fed and sheltered passing pilgrims, and rang a "Bell of the Lost" during times of snow. The rules of life at the Dômerie in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
dating from the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
are available in an online version.
In the 11th century a certain Gilbert, who married Tiburge, countess of Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
, appointed himself count of Gévaudan. This Gilbert had a daughter, Douce I, Countess of Provence, who was married to Ramon Berenguer
Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona
Ramon Berenguer III the Great was the count of Barcelona, Girona, and Ausona from 1082 , Besalú from 1111, Cerdanya from 1117, and Provence, in the Holy Roman Empire, from 1112, all until his death in Barcelona in 1131...
, Count of Barcelona, and brought him all the rights to Gévaudan, Aubrac and Carladès.
The rule of the counts of Barcelona in Gévaudan gave rise to a serious argument with the bishop of Mende, who considered himself lord and count of the country. After many local conflicts and the war between the lords of Armagnac
Armagnac (region)
The hilly countship of Armagnac , in the foothills of the Pyrenées between the Adour and Garonne rivers, is a historic countship of the Duchy of Gascony, established in 601 in Aquitaine...
's French kings Charles VII
Charles VII of France
Charles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
and Louis XI
Louis XI of France
Louis XI , called the Prudent , was the King of France from 1461 to 1483. He was the son of Charles VII of France and Mary of Anjou, a member of the House of Valois....
this country lost its true identity. However, the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
has always brought many visitors.
Culture
Every last weekend of August, a literary festival takes place in Aubrac: Rencontres aubracRencontres aubrac
Les Rencontres d'Aubrac is a French literary festival. This event has taken place every last weekend of August in Aubrac, Aveyron , France since 1994.- History :Les Rencontres d'Aubrac is an event aimed both at a specialized and a non-specialized public...
Cities and villages in the Aubrac Region
- Albaret-le-ComtalAlbaret-le-ComtalAlbaret-le-Comtal is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France. The village lies at the foot of a hydroelectric plant. The plant was built between 1916 and 1919 to supply energy to the hydrometallurgic factory at nearby Saint-Chély-du-Tarn....
- AlpuechAlpuechAlpuech is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:...
- AnterrieuxAnterrieuxAnterrieux is a commune in the Cantal department in southern-central France.-Population:...
- Arzenc-d'ApcherArzenc-d'ApcherArzenc-d'Apcher is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- Aurelle-VerlacAurelle-VerlacAurelle-Verlac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- Bonnefon
- Brameloup
- BrionBrionBrion may refer to:In France*Brion, Ain*Brion, Indre*Brion, Isère*Brion, Lozère*Brion, Maine-et-Loire*Brion, Saône-et-Loire*Brion, Vienne*Brion, Yonne*Brion-près-Thouet*Brion-sur-Ource*Manoir de Brion, a Benedictine prioryElsewhere...
- CassuéjoulsCassuéjoulsCassuéjouls is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- ChauchaillesChauchaillesChauchailles is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- Chaudes-AiguesChaudes-AiguesChaudes-Aigues is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France. It is a spa town, famous for its hot spring waters.-Geography:The commune is situated in the Massif Central in Aubrac...
- La Chaze-de-PeyreLa Chaze-de-PeyreLa Chaze-de-Peyre is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- Condom-d'AubracCondom-d'AubracCondom-d'Aubrac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- CurièresCurièresCurières is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- Deux-VergesDeux-VergesDeux-Verges is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:-References:*...
- EspinasseEspinasseEspinasse is the name or part of the name of the following communes of France:* Espinasse, Cantal, in the Cantal department* Espinasse, Puy-de-Dôme, in the Puy-de-Dôme department* Espinasse-Vozelle, in the Allier department...
- Fau-de-PeyreFau-de-PeyreFau-de-Peyre is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- FournelsFournelsFournels is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- FridefontFridefontFridefont is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:...
- GrandvalsGrandvalsGrandvals is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- JabrunJabrunJabrun is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:...
- La Fage-MontivernouxLa Fage-MontivernouxLa Fage-Montivernoux is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- La TrinitatLa TrinitatLa Trinitat is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:-References:*...
- LacalmLacalmLacalm is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France....
- Laguiole
- Les HermauxLes HermauxLes Hermaux is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- Les SalcesLes SalcesLes Salces is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- LieutadèsLieutadèsLieutadès is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:-References:*...
- Lunet
- MaurinesMaurinesMaurines is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:...
- MontézicMontézicMontézic is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- MontpeyrouxMontpeyroux, AveyronMontpeyroux is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France. Residents of the commune are referred to as Montpeirosiens....
- NoalhacNoalhacNoalhac is a commune in the Lozère département in southern France.-References:*...
- Prades-d'AubracPrades-d'AubracPrades-d'Aubrac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- PrinsuéjolsPrinsuéjolsPrinsuéjols is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- Recoules-d'AubracRecoules-d'AubracRecoules-d'Aubrac is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Lozère department...
- Saint-JuérySaint-Juéry, LozèreSaint-Juéry is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:* *...
- Saint-Chély-d'AubracSaint-Chély-d'AubracSaint-Chély-d'Aubrac is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France about 7 kilometres from Aubrac.-Location:The town is in a large and beautiful green valley on the GR 65, the Way of Saint James pilgrim route. When travelling on the long distance footpath, Saint Chély d'Aubrac is the...
- Saint-Laurent-de-MuretSaint-Laurent-de-MuretSaint-Laurent-de-Muret is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France. It is located on the east of the Aubrac region .-References:* *...
- Saint-Laurent-de-VeyrèsSaint-Laurent-de-VeyrèsSaint-Laurent-de-Veyrès is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:* *...
- Saint-Martial
- Sainte-Colombe-de-PeyreSainte-Colombe-de-PeyreSainte-Colombe-de-Peyre is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.The current population is 203 persons. Its mayor is Jean-Louis Prouhèze.-References:* *...
- Saint-RémySaint-Rémy, AveyronSaint-Rémy is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- Saint-UrcizeSaint-UrcizeSaint-Urcize is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France.-Population:-References:*...
- Salgues
- Soulages-BonnevalSoulages-BonnevalSoulages-Bonneval is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
- TermesTermes, LozèreTermes is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
- TrélansTrélansTrélans is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:*...
External links
- Aligot-Saucisse : Aveyron, that's good!
- Official site of Aubrac
- Bulletin board of Aveyron
- Official Site of Saint-Chély d'Aubrac
- Official site of Lozère
- Official site of Aveyron
- Views of the ancient Dômerie (hospital)
- Photographs of Aubrac cows
- Les Rencontres d'Aubrac, a literary festival about mythology
- Aubrac