St geniez d olt et d aubrac

Saint-Geniez-d'Olt-et-d'Aubrac is a commune in the Aveyron department, formed in 2016 through the merger of the historic bastide town of Saint-Geniez-d'Olt, set along the Lot River, and the high plateaux of the Aubrac. The old town retains characteristic architecture, with arcaded houses around Place des Cardeurs, a former Ursuline convent and the parish church. The Lot River runs through the town, offering opportunities for fishing and riverside walks. To the north, the territory extends onto the Aubrac plateau, a landscape of summer pastures, stone shepherds' huts (burons) and peat bogs, crossed by the Way of St James (GR65), popular with hikers and pilgrims. The area is closely linked to Aubrac cattle farming and local specialities such as aligot, Aubrac cheese and gentian liqueur. The climate varies from mountain conditions on the plateau to milder weather in the Lot valley, allowing for activities throughout the year, from summer hiking to snowy winter landscapes. The nearby towns of Espalion and Laguiole add to the appeal of this rural area in southern France.