The Calvaire Chapel is Gabriac’s emblematic landmark and is visible from a distance. The present-day chapel was built in 1707 by the architect Tarayre. It can only be reached on foot via the Chemin du Calvaire; vehicles can be parked in the “départ randos” car park near the junction on the D28.
Renting a holiday apartment in Gabriac is one possible accommodation option for a visit to the Calvaire Chapel.
Culture and History
The Pont des Moines is a limestone bridge dating from before 1500, with a single arch. It was built by monks from Aubrac and is located between the municipalities of Gabriac and Bertholène.
The Church of Saint-Martial in Gabriac was built between 1876 and 1882. It contains frescoes painted by Nicolas Greschny in 1953; the exterior fresco on the entrance portal depicts the Virgin Mary with the Child.
The Romanesque keep of Ceyrac is attributed to the 12th century and is considered one of the oldest civilian structures in Rouergue. The Château de Tholet is a fortified castle built in the 14th century, which became a manor house during the Renaissance and a farm in the 19th century. In summer, guided tours of the Château de Tholet are offered through the entire height of the medieval castle.
The Church of Saint-Affrique-du-Causse houses an 18th-century carved wooden statue of the Virgin and Child. The late-15th-century Church of Saint-Germain in Ceyrac has two adjacent bell towers built in different architectural styles and periods.
Trails
The “Balade à l’ombre du Calvaire” hike is an easy, yellow-marked route covering 8.5 kilometres and taking approximately three hours, starting from the car park at the Léo-d’Orfer school in Gabriac. Also easy and yellow-marked, the “Sur les traces des belvédères de Ceyrac” hike is a panoramic route covering 7 kilometres and taking two and a half hours, starting from the Paul Griffoul car park next to the Simone Andrieu leisure centre.
The Trail d'Aqui runs through the village of Gabriac, continues to Tholet, and then passes below the Notre-Dame du Calvaire Chapel.
Events
The Gabriac Horse Fair takes place every year on the fourth Thursday in November and has been held since 1836. Another horse event in Gabriac is organised at the end of April, on the third or fourth Sunday of the month, combining horse-related activities with a traditional market.
