THE AUBRAC - HIGH PLATEAU AND BORALDES

Perched on the Aubrac plateau, Laguiole is an emblematic village where history, craftsmanship and nature meet to offer a unique experience. Renowned worldwide for its exceptional knives, but also for its gastronomy and majestic landscapes, Laguiole embodies the soul of authentic Aubrac. Whether you are passionate about crafts, lovers of open spaces or curious about gastronomic discoveries, Laguiole is a must.

• Recognized craftsmanship

Laguiole is inseparable from its famous knife, a symbol of elegance and tradition. Crafted with craftsmanship and precision, it perpetuates a centuries-old heritage. Many cutlery and workshops in the village open their doors to visitors to show them the stages of manufacture of this exceptional object, hand-crafted by passionate craftsmen.

• A terroir and an exceptional gastronomy

Another pride of Laguiole: its cheese! The Laguiole AOP, produced in altitude burons and carefully aged, is a reference of local gastronomy. It is impossible to visit Laguiole without tasting an aligot, this gourmet specialty based on mashed potatoes and fresh tome, which alone embodies all the generosity of the Aubrac.

• A breathtaking natural setting

Laguiole is surrounded by vast summer pastures, where the famous Aubrac cows graze, and offers a spectacular natural setting. The village is an ideal starting point for exploring the wild moors, rolling mountains and secret valleys of the Aubrac. In winter, the ski resort of Laguiole attracts lovers of snow sports and snowshoeing, while in summer, hikers can walk the many marked trails.

• A village full of charm

With its stone houses and lauze roofs, lively streets and small craft shops, Laguiole seduces by its authenticity. Among the must-see sites, we find the famous statue of the bull of Laguiole, true emblem of the village, which dominates the central square. Nearby, the church of Saint-Matthieu, with its characteristic bell tower, testifies to the local history.

• A crossing point between culture and nature

Whether it is to visit a cutlery, taste a typical dish, explore the open spaces of the Aubrac or simply stroll through its lively streets, Laguiole is an essential stopover for those who want to discover the soul of this unique region.

Laguiole, a concentrate of Aubrac
Between traditions, know-how and grandiose landscapes, Laguiole is much more than a simple village: it is a real invitation to discovery. Here, each alley, each workshop and each landscape tells a story, that of an authentic territory proud of its roots.

Symbol of exceptional craftsmanship, the Laguiole knife is much more than a simple tool: it embodies a history, a terroir and a unique know-how transmitted from generation to generation. In the village of Laguiole, cutlery perpetuates this centuries-old tradition, by hand shaping knives of impeccable quality, recognized throughout the world.

• A knife full of history

Born at the beginning of the 19th century, the knife of Laguiole finds its origins in the capuchadou, a traditional knife of the shepherds of the Aubrac, and in the Spanish navaja, brought by pilgrims from Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. With its tapered blade, sculpted handle and famous fly (bee or other motif worked on the spring of the knife), it has become a true emblem of French excellence.

• A craft manufacturing in the rules of art

In Laguiole, several cutlery and workshops perpetuate the traditional manufacture of knives. Each piece is assembled by hand by passionate craftsmen, who work noble materials such as precious wood, horn or mammoth ivory to create unique and refined knives. From the forgage of the blade to the polishing of the handle, each stage of manufacture respects precise and meticulous gestures, guaranteeing a knife that is at the same time aesthetic, robust and functional.

• Visit the cutlery of Laguiole

Immerse yourself in the world of cutlery from Laguiole is to discover an art of manual work, where each knife tells a story and unique know-how. Several houses open their doors to visitors, offering demonstrations of manufacturing, explanations on the techniques used, and the possibility to buy or customize your own knife. Among the iconic cutlery items are: 

• La Coutellerie Honoré Durand: a family business that perpetuates traditional know-how and offers guided tours of its workshop.
• La Forge de Laguiole: a renowned cutlery that combines craftsmanship and contemporary design to create exceptional pieces.
• Local cutlery & blacksmiths: passionate craftsmen who shape custom knives in respect of tradition.

An exceptional souvenir
To buy an authentic Laguiole knife is to own an exceptional object, designed to last a lifetime. True heritage of the Aubrac terroir, it is often passed on from generation to generation, becoming a precious gift and full of meaning.

Laguiole, capital of the knife
With its living workshops, passionate craftsmen and historical heritage, Laguiole is much more than a simple village: it is a land of tradition and excellence, where the knife remains a timeless symbol of craftsmanship and elegance.

It is impossible to mention Laguiole without mentioning its exceptional cheese and its famous aligot, two gastronomic treasures born in the highlands of Aubrac. For more than 60 years, the Coopérative Jeune Montagne has perpetuated the traditional know-how of the buronniers, guaranteeing cheeses of irreproachable quality and a strong link with the Aubrac terroir.

• Le Laguiole AOP: An exceptional cheese

Produced from the raw and whole milk of Aubrac and Simmental cows, Laguiole AOP cheese is a real institution. Matured for at least 4 months in the cooperative’s cellars, it develops powerful and refined aromas, both fruity and persistent, which make it a must on gastronomic tables. Its soft and creamy paste, its golden crust and its typical taste make it a true ambassador of the Aubrac.

• L'aligot: The emblematic recipe of Aubrac
  

Friendly and generous dish, aligot is an essential specialty born in the burons of Aubrac. Prepared with fresh tome de Laguiole, it is distinguished by its flowing and melting texture, which goes perfectly with local meats or can simply be tasted with a spoon. La Coopérative Jeune Montagne takes care to preserve the traditional recipe, selecting first quality ingredients for an aligot faithful to the flavors of yesteryear.

• An immersion in cheese-making skills
• The Coopérative Jeune Montagne, located in Laguiole, opens its doors to visitors for a fascinating dive into the world of cheese. You will discover:
• The secrets of making Laguiole AOP and fresh tome through explanations on the stages of milk processing.
• Demonstrations of spinning the aligot, where we learn to obtain the perfect texture and master the art of "spinning ribbon".
• A gourmet shop where you can buy Laguiole AOP cheese, fresh tome, butter and local specialties.

• A terroir to taste

Whether on a guided tour, during an on-site tasting or by buying their products directly, the Coopérative Jeune Montagne immerses you in the heart of a unique gastronomic heritage. A must for all gourmands and curious, eager to taste the pure Aubrac.

A know-how at the service of the terroir
Thanks to its values of quality, authenticity and respect for traditions, the Young Mountain Cooperative plays a key role in preserving the cheese heritage of the Aubrac. A visit to Laguiole would not be complete without a gourmet stopover in this must-see establishment.

In the heart of the Aubrac, where wild and preserved nature meets the authenticity of traditions, the Laguiole Whisky Distillery is one of the jewels of the region. Perpetuating an artisanal know-how, the distillery elaborates whiskies of character, where each stage of production pays homage to the unique terroir of the Aubrac. Between tradition and innovation, this distillery offers a true sensory journey, anchored in the lands of Aubrac.

• A whisky that reflects the terroir of Aubrac
  

Laguiole whisky is an exceptional drink, produced with quality local ingredients. The malt comes from cereals grown on the Aubrac plateau, while the water used in the manufacture is drawn from the pure springs of the surrounding mountains. This whisky therefore reflects the purity and authenticity of the country, by absorbing the aromas and flavors characteristic of the Massif Central.

• A traditional distillation and unique aging
  

The Laguiole Whisky Distillery uses traditional distillation methods. The distillate is aged in oak casks containing local wines or spirits, which gives the Laguiole whisky a unique character, both sweet and complex. The influence of wood and climatic conditions of the region brings woody aromas, smoky and spicy notes, which make it a real specialty of the terroir.

• A high-end whisky, distilled for excellence
  

The distillery produces top quality whiskies, characterized by an exceptional aromatic richness and a depth of flavor that will appeal to the most demanding amateurs. Each cuvée is the result of several years of patience, a slow and meticulous process that allows the whisky to develop subtle aromas, and reveal all its complexity over time.

• Visit the distillery and discover its secrets

During your visit to the Laguiole Whisky Distillery, you will have the opportunity to discover the process of making whiskey through exciting guided tours. You can:

• Observe the distillation live, discover the aging techniques in oak barrels and understand the secrets of making this unique spirit.
• Taste different cuvées of Laguiole whisky, accompanied by detailed explanations on the aromatic profiles and specificities of each variety.
• Visit the shop, where you can buy bottles of Laguiole whisky, products and accessories to complete your collection or offer an exceptional gift.

A whisky rooted in its terroir
The Laguiole Whisky Distillery is much more than a simple producer of spirits: it is a true ambassador of the Aubrac terroir. By combining tradition, know-how and innovation, the distillery offers an exceptional product that embodies the spirit of the Aubrac, with its wild landscapes, clean air and rich heritage.