|
Laguiole
|
|
|
Seventeen kilometres west of St-Urcize and 24km north of Espalion,
LAGUIOLE
passes for a substantial town in these parts. It is a name which means but one thing in France: knives, and specifically ones with a long, pointed, stiletto-like blade and bone handle that fits the palm; the genuine article should bear the effigy of a bull stamped on the clasp that holds the blade open. It is an industry that started in the nineteenth century, then moved to industrial Thiers, outside Clermont-Ferrand, before returning to Laguiole in 1987, when the Societe Laguiole opened a factory designed by Philippe Starck on the St-Urcize road, with a giant knife projecting from the roof of the windowless all-aluminium building. Of all the numerous outlets selling knives in the village, only the Societe's are made entirely in Laguiole. They have a shop on the main through-road, on the corner of the central marketplace opposite the
tourist office kiosk
(Mon-Sat 9am-12.30pm & 3-7pm, Sun 10.30am-noon & 2-7pm; tel 05.65.44.35.94, fax 05.65.44.35.76); their wares include pricey knives designed by Starck himself.
There is nothing of great significance to see in the village, though the Musee du Haut-Rouergue (July & Aug daily 3.30-6.30pm; 15F/€2.29), with its collection of objects illustrative of the pastoral life, might be of interest. Nonetheless, it is a relatively metropolitan base for exploring round about, with several hotels on the main street. Try the Aubrac opposite the marketplace (tel 05.65.44.32.13, fax 05.65.48.48.74; 160-220F/€24-34; restaurant from 62F/€9.50), the nearby Regis (tel 05.65.44.30.05, fax 05.65.48.46.44; 220-300F/€34-46; restaurant from 96F/€14.63) or the Grand Hotel Auguy (tel 05.65.44.31.11, fax 05.65.51.50.81; 220-300F/€34-46), 2 allee de l'Amicale, with a good restaurant from 130F/€19.82.
Alternatively, there's a sort of
chambre d'hote
at Le Combaire, in a quiet rural setting 3km west on the D42 (tel 05.65.44.33.26, fax 05.65.44.37.38; 160-220F/€24-34 half-board);
gites d'etape
at Le Vayssaire (tel 05.65.48.44.69) and Soulages-Bonneval (tel 05.65.44.42.18, fax 05.65.44.42.80; meals available), 5km away on the D54; and a municipal
campsite
(tel 05.65.44.39.72; closed mid-Sept to mid-June) on the St-Urcize road. Communications, however, are not good, and if you don't have a car your only chance of getting in or out is the daily bus to Rodez. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
|
France,
|