Vaureilles: Churches, Hiking Trails and Landscape

Vaureilles lies on the Ségala plateau. Churches, local memorial sites and hiking trails give this rural destination a variety of distinctive features. If you are looking for a hotel in Vaureilles, you can choose your location according to whether you are particularly interested in architectural history, the history of Cardinal François Marty, or a hike with specific distance and elevation figures.

Rural Landscape on the Ségala Plateau

The landscape around Vaureilles is rural in character and is considered authentic. At the same time, part of the commune lies within the “Étangs du Ségala” Natura 2000 site, a special protected area with the code FR 7300876. This protected-area designation applies to part of the commune; it should not be equated with the entire territory of Vaureilles.

Two Churches with Distinct Histories

The 33-metre-high bell tower of the Église de Pachins stands out as a landmark above the Toulzou valley on the surrounding plateau. The church was finally brought into service in 1904. Its stained-glass windows were funded by donations from the village’s residents at the time. A statue of Cardinal François Marty stands in front of the church. His burial place is also in Pachins: since February 1994, he has rested in a family tomb at the corner of the village cemetery opposite the entrance gate.

The Église de Vaureilles dates from the 16th century in Gothic style and was later altered. The decorated keystones feature heraldic motifs. A corbel depicts a little man and a dog fighting over a ham—a striking, narrative detail within the architecture. According to tradition, the church was once associated with a pilgrimage for abscesses; this is a historical tradition and does not imply that a pilgrimage takes place today.

Hiking Trails Between Mills and the Village Square

The Chemin de l’Étang de Pachins connects the mill of Vaureilles with the mill of Pachins. The trail reopened in 2022 and was inaugurated in early August that year with a hike held during the fête votive of Pachins. Check the local trail conditions before setting out.

The “Au pays de Mgr Marty” hiking trail starts in Vaureilles village square, either in front of the war memorial or the town hall. It is 9 kilometres long, with a cumulative elevation gain of 130 metres. The trails therefore have different points of interest: the Chemin de l’Étang de Pachins connects the two mills, while “Au pays de Mgr Marty” has specific distance and ascent figures. These figures describe the distance and elevation gain, not the walking time.

Fête Votive and Local Produce

At the Vaureilles fête votive, a lawn-mower tractor race was held on the Sunday of the festival for the second year in a row, and was a great success. The event programme may vary. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates in advance.

Vaureilles is also home to Les Jardins de la Montanie, an organic vegetable farm that sells directly to customers by telephone or online order. Check the current ordering arrangements before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Versols-Et-Lapeyre, Viviez, Le Vibal, Centrès, Castanet, Prévinquières, Lagarrigue, Cabanès

For the main travel overview: Aveyron.