Aurillac



Aurillac (Orlhac in Occitan) is a commune in the Auvergne region in central France, capital of the Cantal department. The inhabitants of Aurillac are called the Aurillacois, and are also Cantaliens (from Cantal). The city is traversed by the Jordanne River. Aurillac is often thought to be one of the coldest cities in France. However, this is untrue, as it is simply the city at the highest altitude shown on the TV weathercasts. The historical capital of the umbrella, Aurillac makes more than half the umbrellas produced in France. In 1999, Aurillac produced around 250,000 umbrellas, generating around 100 jobs.

HISTORY OF AURILLAC
Once there was Aurelius’ domain : Aureliacum. This Gallo-Roman character set up his dwelling beyond the temple of Aron, at the opening of the Jordanne valley, on grounds that will become the setting of the city of Aurillac. A feudal stronghold was erected on heights overlooking the valley, northwards, on the foothills of the Cantal volcano.

In the middle of the 9th century, it belonged to the son of Gérard I, Count of Auvergne. At the foot of the castle, already known as Saint-Etienne Castle, he built a small church dedicated to Saint Clément. Around the church, the town of Aurillac began to spread. After his death, his son Géraud inherited the domain. Géraud founded an abbey and around the year 896, he had a church built next to his father’s. It was first dedicated to both Saint-Pierre and Saint-Clément, and later to its saint founder: Saint-Géraud.

After his death, circa 910, Géraud was buried in his church. His tomb became a place of pilgrimage and the church was extended. It was consecrated in 972 by Etienne II, bishop of Auvergne, Aurillac became the second church of his bishopric, after Clermont. At the end of the 10th century, the abbey was in full expansion. The monk Gerbert was educated there, he was to become in 999 the first French pope under the name of Sylvestre II. Pilgrims come flocking, and the fame of Saint-Géraud is as great as that of Sainte-Foye de Conques.

In the second half of the 11th century, the church was once more reshaped, and consecrated again in 1095 by pope Urbain II. Around the abbey, a small town develops and gradually spreads westwards along the river Jordanne and over the hillside of Aurinques. At the end of the 12th century, the “burgesses” of Aurillac, the citizens of the town, are officially mentioned for the first time. They appoint consuls (municipal magistrates) in agreement with the abbot who remains the lord.

In 1233 the Albigensian war breaks out. Saint-Etienne Castle, the abbot’s dwelling, is destroyed. From then on, there was constant fighting, punctuated by conventions known as Aurillac Peaces, signed in 1280, 1298 and 1347 between the abbot and the burgesses. Then, it is the start of the English wars in the Auvergne. The city of Aurillac resists, under the protection of its walls. In 1366, the Royal Bailiwick of the mountains was definitely installed in Aurillac, asserting thus its role as the administrative capital of Haute-Auvergne. At the end of the Middle Ages, as peace came back, reconstruction begins, followed by a period of relative prosperity. The religion wars broke out. The abbey was entirely devastated by the protestants in 1569, together with the rest of the town’s monuments. Aurillac, restored, and freed from the abbey's lordship, went on developing. In 1775, it was a densely populated city of commerce and trading

In 1790, when the “départements” (counties) were created, after a period of alternation with Saint-Flour, Aurillac becomes the capital city of Cantal. The oncoming of the railway in 1866 boosts its development. The first census, in 1759, numbered 6 268 inhabitants in Aurillac as compared with today’s population of 30 580. Aurillac still is a place of trading and commerce for all the county. It is also an active cultural and touristic centre. Its secondary schools and university colleges house numerous students

More informations about the History of Aurillac on the Aurillac !

WHAT TO VISIT ?
More informations about the places to visit in Aurillac on the Aurillac, and even the Website of the Office of Tourism !

Free Internet/Wifi Access
Here is a list of places where you can get some Internet/Wifi access:


 * GRETA des Monts du Cantal - Adress: Lycée Jean Monnet, 10 rue du Docteur Chibret - Tel: 04 71 45 49 50
 * Espace Culture Multimédia d'Aurillac - Adress: Médiathèque, rue du 139eme régiment - Tel: 04 71 46 86 36
 * Point Cybercantal d'Aurillac - Adress: Médiathèque communautaire, rue du 139 RI - Tel: 04 71 46 86 36
 * Bus Multimédia - Adress: 3 place des carmes - Tel: 04 71 46 86 30

COUCHSURFERS
There are about 35 Couchsurfers in Aurillac and the area, feel free to contact them by searching them on a couchsurf or by posting some messages on the CS Group of Aurillac.

Meetings
There are some meetings organised in Aurillac, you can check on the CS Group of Aurillac if there is something happened or check on the Regional CS Group of Auvergne to see if there is an event organised in the area.

Coffee or a drink
Here is a list of local couchsurfers who could be ready to show you the city or/and have a drink with you:

How to Get to Aurillac

 * By Car:
 * By Train:
 * By Bus:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY



 * Police Station:
 * Health Urgency:
 * Hospital:
 * Fireman Station:
 * Embassy:
 * Emergency Doctor:

INTERESTED LINKS</FONT>
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 * Regional CS Group: Auvergne
 * Local CS Group: Aurillac


 * Aurillac on Wikivoyage
 * Aurillac on Hitchwiki
 * Aurillac on Wikipedia