Cransac

Cransac, also known as Cransac-les-Thermes, is a village in the Aveyron department, within the former coalmining basin of Decazeville-Aubin, in the Occitanie region of southern France. The town is notable for an unusual geological phenomenon: the natural, underground combustion of coal seams, which has given rise to a specialised thermal spa treating rheumatism and joint conditions, in operation since the 19th century. The thermal baths and the site of the Mines Thérapeutiques are among the village's distinctive features, combining industrial heritage with the therapeutic use of naturally heated ground. The surrounding landscape still bears the mark of the region's mining past, set within the gentle hills and plateaux typical of northern Aveyron. The village lies close to Decazeville and Aubin, with Rodez, the departmental capital, within reasonable reach. The climate is temperate, with mild summers and cool winters, well suited to spa breaks or short countryside stays. Cransac is best suited to quiet stays centred around thermal relaxation, walking in the surrounding countryside, and exploring the area's mining heritage in an unspoilt rural setting.