Laguiole lies on the edge of the great Aubrac plateau, a volcanic plateau covering 2500 square kilometres to the north-east of Rodez in the Aveyron department. The plateau is a region of open moorlands and lakes giving great vistas of sky and vast sweeping grasslands.
Laguiole knives
The most famous attraction in Laguiole is its knife factory. Make sure you don't miss a visit to the Forge de Laguiole, home of the beautiful and much sought after Laguiole knives.
If you visit the forge you can tour the factory and see how these beautiful knives are made. Skilled craftsmen work in rooms in twos and threes and each make their knives from start to finish. They have two top knife makers, Virgilio Munoz Caballero and Stephane Rambaud who make knives for their collectors series.
To celebrate its 120th anniversary the Eiffel Tower gave a part of its iron to the Forge de Laguiole for a special knife collection to be made. These were then given out to special guests such as Barrack Obama. The office of the President sometimes ask for special knives to be made to give to visiting heads of state.
In the shop you can see knives designed by Philippe Starck, who also designed the building housing the Forge de Laguiole. Designers from the worlds of fashion, furniture and architecture have also worked with the forge to produce beautiful designs which are then made in the factory.
Some of the knives sell for more than 1000 euros each but there are many at a much more affordable budget (though not cheap) and I promise you will be wanting to buy one.
Laguiole and the Aubrac plateau
The plateau is the summer home of the Aubrac cattle and every spring the 'transhumance', the taking of the cattle from the lowlands up on to the plateau, takes place. These cattle with their lovely sandy colour, long thin horns and black eyes are reared to make cheese. Called the 'tome de Laguiole', the cheese has AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controléé) status for its fine quality.
Cheese plays a large part in food in the area. If you stay for lunch in one of the good restaurants in the town of Laguiole, or elsewhere in northern Aveyron, try Aligot which is a cheese and potato mixture popular in the area and particularly good in the winter as it is a heavy, warming dish excellent for a cold day.
Attractions nearby
The principal base to explore this region is at Aubrac, a village to the east of Laguiole with a roman style church.
To the north-east of here we recommend a tour of the lakes and scenery of the Gorges de la Truyère, with the village at Conques to the west another unmissable highlight in the region.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Aveyron guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Laguiole
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Map of Laguiole and places nearby
Visit near Laguiole with France This Way reviews
Saint-Come-d'Olt
The pilgrimage village of Saint-Côme-d'Olt, with its castle and unusual church, is listed among the 'most beautiful French villages'
Saint-Come-d'Olt guide
Espalion
In the town of Espalion there is a lovely bridge over the river and several other interesting historic monuments
Espalion guide
Estaing
This pretty village in the Aubrac region has several monuments of note, including the Chateau d'Estaing
Estaing guide
Entraygues
The medieval bridges and half-timbered houses are among the highlights in the village of Entraygues
Entraygues guide
Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt
After exploring the picturesque village at Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt you will find lots of scenic highlights in the surrounding countryside
Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt guide
... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Aveyron
Address: Laguiole, Rodez, Midi-Pyrenees, 12210, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.685, longitude 2.848056
Plan your visit to Laguiole, Aveyron
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- St Chely d'Aubrac pont des pèlerins (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (12 km)
- Cascade du Déroc: site of natural beauty (18 km)
- Saint-Come-d'Olt: most beautiful village (19 km)
- Espalion Pont Vieux (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (19 km)
- Estaing: most beautiful village (20 km)
- Estaing pont sur le Lot (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (20 km)
- Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt: most beautiful village (26 km)
- Trou de Bozouls: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Aumont-Aubrac: village d'etape (35 km)
- Tindoul de la Vayssière: site of natural beauty (35 km)
- Conques abbatiale Sainte-Foy (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (37 km)
- Conques: most beautiful village (37 km)
The French version of this page is at Laguiole (Francais)