Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac

The municipality of Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac ( Occitan: Sanch ELI) with 548 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located in the French region of Midi -Pyrenees in the department of Aveyron and is the capital of the canton of the same name. The small town is situated on the GR 65, which largely follows the historical course of the French Road to Santiago Via Podiensis.

Geography and transport

Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac is located in the Massif Central in the field of Aubrac and is the capital of the canton of the same name. The municipality also includes the hamlet of Aubrac, where the old monastery and hospice Domerie d' Aubrac was. The houses are in a valley through which the river Boralde de Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac flows, in Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac has its origin. The next major French cities are Lyon (199 km) to the northeast, Toulouse ( 161 km) to the southwest, Bordeaux (279 km ) to the west and Montpellier ( 133 km) to the southeast.

The nearest commercial airport is the airport Rodez - Marcillac, it is located southwest of Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac. He is served, including the Air France and Ryanair. About the D988 and D987 or D987, he can be reached after approximately 60 kilometers of road. The nearest railway station is in Aumont -Aubrac. It is about 40 road miles away and can be reached in an easterly direction over the D987. Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac is situated on the D553, which branches from the D987 at Aubrac, between Nasbinals in the Northeast and Saint -Côme d'Olt - which lies to the southwest in the Lot Valley.

History

The name Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac reminiscent of the holy Eligius, where the monastery was consecrated, which was founded in the late 11th century. However, the monastery of the Abbey of Saint -Victor de Marseille was soon subordinated to and merged with the Domerie d' Aubrac. Since then carry flag and coat of arms of Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac the eight -pointed cross of the Knights and the scallop.

The place was in 1385 of around ziehenen bands almost completely destroyed and only years later.

The population has declined sharply. In 1793 the population was 2034 and rose to 1831 on 3326 inhabitants. 1999, there were 532 inhabitants. Mayor is Fontanier since 2001, Jean -Claude.

The city is a member of the transnational protected area system Natura 2000. 1995 was opened on the site of the former monastery hospital Domerie d' Aubrac a botanical garden with more than 500 thematically laid out according to habitat plants, the Jardin botanique d' Aubrac.

Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )

Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac is located on Via Podiensis, one of the four historic Pilgrimage Routes in France. So also the scallop is part of the municipal coat of arms. In Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac there is next to the tourist information for hotels, restaurants, as well as for several stage pilgrim hostels (French: Gîte d' étape ). From here the pilgrim route through forest and field paths leads 400 meters down into the valley of the Lot. The nearest major town is Saint- Côme- d'Olt, located on the Lot. Running there as a direct road link which is about one kilometer north running D987.

Attractions

• It is worth noting especially the bridge over the Boralde de Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac. The old pilgrim bridge of limestone was built in the 16th century instead of an older building. Then there is a cross is displayed on the on the front of the crucified Jesus, and on the back of Mary with the baby Jesus. On the shaft a praying pilgrims can be seen.
• A Romanesque monastery church from the 12th century.
• A wrought iron crucifix from the 17th century.

Events

From 2001 to 2011, an annual international chess tournament was held at the Salle des fêtes in Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac. The winners were: 2001 GM Glenn Flear, 2002 GM Glenn Flear, 2003 GM Milko Poptchev, 2004 GM Manuel Apicella, 2005 GM Mikhail Ivanov, 2006, GM Jean -Marc Degraeve, 2007, GM Jean -Marc Degraeve, 2008 GM Jean -Marc Degraeve, 2009 IM Jean -Noël reef, 2010 GM Jean -Marc Degraeve and 2011 IM Jean -Noël reef.