Cantoin: Discover Nature and Heritage

Nature and heritage take many forms in Cantoin. The landscape includes Cantoin’s location within the Parc Naturel régional de l’Aubrac and a hiking route along Lac de Sarrans; in Vines, there is a museum and a Gothic chapel. When looking for a hotel in Cantoin, these different attractions can help you decide where to stay. Are you especially interested in a lakeside trail, views of the countryside, or musical instruments and architecture? Each destination has its own focus.

Hiking route along Lac de Sarrans

Cantoin is part of the Parc Naturel régional de l’Aubrac. One specific way to discover the landscape around the lake is the hiking route « Les berges du lac de Sarrans ». It starts in Vines, in Cantoin, and runs along the shores of Lac de Sarrans. The lakeshore areas are protected Natura 2000 sites. These details refer to different geographical areas: the regional park designation applies to Cantoin, while the stated Natura 2000 protection applies to the lakeshore areas. For your planning, the route offers a clearly identified starting point in Vines and an equally clear connection to the lakeside landscape.

Hiking or viewing the landscape from the air

The Base ULM Cantoin Aubrac offers a different perspective. It provides local flights from Cantoin to various destinations, with views of the Gorges de la Truyère and the Aubrac plateaus. The two activities therefore differ mainly in their landscape focus: the hiking route runs along the shores of Lac de Sarrans, while the flights take in the aforementioned gorges and plateaus. When choosing between these options, consider whether you would prefer a lakeside hike or a flight with views of these landscapes.

Musée des cornemuses du monde in Vines

The Musée des cornemuses du monde in Vines displays 200 bagpipes. Audio guides let visitors hear the instruments. The collection can thus be experienced in two ways: through the instruments themselves and through their sound. For visitors interested not only in the appearance of bagpipes but also in their sound, listening is part of the museum experience. The figure of 200 instruments also gives a concrete sense of the size of the collection on display, without limiting the museum visit to a single selection.

Vines and its architecture

Vines is classified as « Sites Authentiques et Remarquables en Aveyron ». Another specific attraction is the Gothic chapel in Vines, which dates from the 15th century. These details have different focuses: the classification applies to Vines, while the date and Gothic style describe a single building. If you are interested in heritage, you will find both a distinction awarded to the village and architecture that can be placed in a specific historical period. The chapel complements a visit to the museum by offering a different perspective on Vines, although the two attractions do not cover the same subject.

Visit to an Angora goat farm

The 2024 Tourisme en Aubrac guide listed Ferme au doux Mohair d’Aubrac in Cantoin as offering visits to an Angora goat farm. It also listed a boutique selling mohair clothing and yarn. The listing therefore combines a farm visit with mohair products. Booking and access details may change; check them before visiting. When deciding which attractions to include in your plans, this offering sits alongside the lakeside scenery and cultural attractions in Vines.

Discover more destinations: La Loubière, Golinhac, Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul, Buzeins, Lavernhe, Cornus, Sébazac-Concourès, Castelmary.

For the main travel overview: Aveyron.