Randonnée de Saint-Geniez d'Olt à la Chapelle d'Aurelle
Towards the Chapelle d'Aurelle... After having climbed the foothills of the Aubrac and followed the ridges overhanging the boraldes, you will reach a very protected site with its basalt organs and lava flows.
You'll enjoy superb panoramic views along the lightly-travelled route de crêtes in the 1st section, before reaching the hamlet of Aurelle and its Romanesque chapel on the slopes of the Aubrac
hamlet of Aurelle, and its Romanesque chapel on the slopes of Aubrac. Return to the valley on a path through the woods.
Chapelle d'Aurelle, built in the 14th century, then renovated by a team of volunteers and listed as a historic monument in the 1980s, is home to a colony of the "grand rhinolophe", a protected species of bat.
Today, it is the largest breeding colony for this species in Occitanie.
Under a municipal decree, the Chapelle d?Aurelle will be closed to the public from May 1 to September 30, 2026
to protect a colony of bats (Grand Rhinolophe) during the breeding season, in accordance with article L411-1 of the
Code de l?environnement, which prohibits the destruction or disturbance of protected species.
The site is of major regional ecological interest for this strictly protected species.
Real-time video surveillance monitors the colony?s progress.
When the chapel is closed :
A virtual tour of the chapel interior is available on smartphone. To explore this remarkable historic monument, simply scan the QR code. You can also view the interior through the small trapdoor built into the door.
