Murat brings together medieval architecture, places of remembrance and animal collections, alongside trails through the surrounding countryside. The town is part of the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d’Auvergne. You can choose from a range of activities when planning your trip: historic buildings and cultural sites in town, a stage on a pilgrimage route, or a longer hike in the Massif cantalien.
Historic buildings and collections
Historic buildings have been preserved in medieval Murat, showcasing a variety of architectural styles and building materials. The main construction phases of the Chapelle Saint-Antoine date to the 12th, 15th and 16th centuries. These three periods offer a specific reference point for the town’s building history, without reducing the chapel to a single era.
The Maison de la Faune is housed in a former sub-prefecture hotel dating from the 16th century. Across four floors, it displays animal collections in reconstructed habitats. These include more than 8,000 species of insects, butterflies and beetles from around the world, as well as nearly 800 mammals and birds. The historic building and the extensive collections offer two different points of interest: one is a building that once served an administrative function, while the other is the diversity of the animal groups on display.
Remembrance and visitor planning
The Mémorial de la Déportation commemorates 103 residents of Murat who were arrested on 24 June 1944; 75 of them died in the camps. The memorial is therefore connected to a specific date and the fate of the town’s residents. The Mémorial is open daily throughout the year, but visits are by prior reservation only. Check reservation requirements and access arrangements before your trip.
Views and trails
From the Rocher de Bonnevie, at the foot of the statue of Notre-Dame de la Haute-Auvergne, the Chemin de Bonnevie offers panoramic views of Murat’s rooftops and the Monts du Cantal. Here, you can take in both the town and the mountain panorama. This viewpoint offers a different focus from the historic buildings and collections: the emphasis is on views of Murat and its surroundings.
A stage or a longer hike
Murat is a stage on the Via Arverna, an alternative route to Santiago de Compostela. The route connects Clermont-Ferrand with Cahors. The GR 400 also starts in Murat, but follows a longer circular route along the slopes of the Massif cantalien. It is 140 kilometres long and runs through the mid-mountain region of Europe’s largest volcano. The circuit can be completed in eight days or less. The two routes therefore differ mainly in scope: a stage on a pilgrimage route, or a tour around the Massif cantalien. Conditions and stage plans may change; check them before setting out.
Getting there and finding accommodation
Murat is served by passenger trains running north to Clermont-Ferrand and south to Aurillac and Figeac. Timetable details may change, so check connections before travelling. If you’re looking for a hotel in Murat, your planned activities can help guide your choice of accommodation—for example, visits to historic sites and collections, travelling by train, or a hike starting in Murat. The train connections and the two routes address different planning needs, so consider them in light of your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Junhac, Saint-Amandin, Le Monteil, Virargues, Neussargues-Moissac, Thiézac, Condat, Aurillac.
For the broader travel overview: Cantal.
