Four rooms in the Volcanoes Museum make use of interactive scale models, multimedia terminals and video films to explore four volcano-related themes: “The Earth – a troubled planet”; “Cantal, a land on the move”; “Volcanoes and humans” (weighing up t..

Visitors to the city’s law courts can admire the three 17C Flemish tapestries on display.

This Renaissance courtyard can be found at nº 7. The street commemorates a bishop of Saint-Flour, Charles de Noailles , who had the church of Saint-Géraud rebuilt after it was sacked by Protestants.

This chapel was built in the 16C inside a tower in the city walls. The high chapel dates from the 19C.

The Renaissance-style Maison Consulaire is now used to host exhibitions. Note the beautiful sculptures on the door opening on to rue de la Coste. Walk a few steps down rue du Consulat to see the staircase tower at nº 4.

Few French towns can boast that a Pope once lived there. Aurillac is a member of this exclusive club thanks to Gerbert (938-1003), a humble shepherd who, having attracted the attention of the monks of Saint-Géraud, was sent to study in the Arab uni..

From the “Pont Rouge” enjoy views of old half-timbered houses lining the river, their reflections in the water creating an enchanting effect. Visitors can also admire the scenic banks of the Jordanne.

The wax museum (Musée de Cire) highlights historic events and personalities from the story of Aurillac.

Before being turned into a museum, the convent was transformed into a national stud farm during the Revolution. The museum tells of the life and living conditions in Cantal and of the region's archaeology (remarkable collection of paleolithic bifacia..

The Church was rebuilt in the 17th Century. The sacristy is fitted into the old capitulary hall which connects with an elegant 15C chapel. In an Oratory on the left there is a black Virgin that is highly venerated here.

To the south of the old town, the Carmelite district, with its large shady park, is a haven of peace and quiet.

These pleasant gardens, a former Carmelite monastic enclosure, lead to the Centre Culturel Pierre Mendès-France and several exhibition rooms.

It is thought that the arcaded Romanesque façade facing the church door belonged to a hostelry used by pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela. Next to the church, on the left, note the late-15C colonial house. The serpentine cistern ..

Founded in the 9C, this staging point on the Santiago pilgrimage route was extended in the 10C and 11C. It had just been refurbished when the Protestants completely destroyed it in 1569. Rebuilt in the first half of the 17C, the narthex tower was raz..

Part of the Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie (Art and Archaeology Museum), the old stables (1819) offer a contemporary art exhibition and have a slideshow presenting the work of great Photographers from around the world (Callahan, Fontana, Sandek, etc...

The keep dates from the 13C, while the rest of the château is 19C. There is a beautiful view of the surrounding area from the upper terrace. The building is home to the Haute-Auvergne Centre for Environmental Initiatives, the Volcano Park shop and th..