Drugeac offers several ways to explore nature and history: you can discover the Vélorail route, a hiking trail starting from the village square, and the Source minérale d’Apcher mineral spring. Église Saint-Géraud and the old château add cultural and historical points of interest to these discoveries. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the different types of activities: a Vélorail ride, a hike, and individual places such as the spring and church each offer a different focus.

Explore by Vélorail and on foot

The Vélorail du Pays de Mauriac departs from Drugeac station on the former railway line from Miécaze to Bort-les-Orgues. The round trip covers more than seven kilometres and goes as far as Cascade de Salins. Along the way, it passes through three tunnels and over three viaducts. The route and its structures shape the experience just as much as the destination. Each Vélorail can accommodate no more than five people; bear this limit in mind when planning for a group. Check the current dates and availability of the ride in advance.

The hiking trail from Drugeac offers a different way to discover the surrounding area. It starts in the village square and leads through a beech forest, past a cave and to a large meadow on the plateau. The route can be understood through its landscape features: from the village starting point through the forest and past the cave to the meadow on the plateau. Unlike the Vélorail ride, with its out-and-back route and three tunnels and viaducts, this trail focuses on a variety of landscapes.

Mineral spring and village history

The Source minérale d’Apcher, also known as the Source du Cher, is two kilometres from the village centre. Naturally carbonated mineral water bubbles from it at a constant temperature of 13 °C. The spring is accessible every day, all year round. Two specific details help you find your bearings here: its distance from the village centre and its year-round daily accessibility. Unlike the two route-based activities, the spring is defined by its location and the properties of its water.

Église Saint-Géraud offers another glimpse into the history of Drugeac. Until the 17th century, it served as a priory of the Abbey of Saint-Géraud d’Aurillac. Its features include a three-bell open belfry, 16th-century stained-glass windows and a depiction of the Nativity, or an “Adoration of the Angels,” dating from the 17th century. Architectural, artistic and historical aspects come together here: the windows and the depiction date from different centuries, while the church’s former role as a priory links its history to the abbey.

Drugeac’s old château is another historical point of interest in the village. It is regarded as a reminder of the history of Haute-Auvergne. Together with Église Saint-Géraud, it adds a cultural and historical dimension to outings on foot or by Vélorail. During your stay, you can choose between a clearly defined ride, a hiking trail with a variety of landscape features, and individual natural and cultural attractions.

Discover more destinations: Carlat, Salers, Saint-Amandin, Vic-Sur-Cère, Bassignac, Pers, Maurs, Thiézac.

For the broader travel overview: Cantal.