A 33-metre-high bell tower and a corbel depicting a man and a dog fighting over a ham give Vaureilles distinctive cultural landmarks. Two hiking trails offer different experiences: one links two mills, while the other has specific details on distance and elevation gain.
Vaureilles on the Ségala Plateau
Vaureilles lies on the Ségala Plateau. The rural landscape shapes the character of the village and is described as untouched by the disruptions of modern life. This provides a clear theme for a stay: local history and church art sit alongside walks through the surrounding area, though the trails do not share the same planning details.
Two churches, different stories
The bell tower of the Église de Pachins is 33 metres high. Above the Toulzou Valley, it serves as a landmark on the surrounding plateau. The church was finally brought into use in 1904. Its stained-glass windows were funded by donations from the village’s residents at the time—a detail that draws attention not only to the building’s history but also to the local community’s contribution.
The Église de Vaureilles dates back to the 16th century in its Gothic origins and was later altered. Decorations on the keystones feature heraldic motifs. A corbel inside the church depicts a little man and a dog fighting over a ham. This striking contrast between heraldic decoration and a narrative scene is particularly interesting to observe in the architecture.
Cardinal François Marty is also connected with the churches of Pachins: a statue of him stands in front of the Église de Pachins. Since February 1994, he has rested in the family tomb at the corner of the Pachins village cemetery opposite the entrance gate. The Église de Vaureilles, meanwhile, is traditionally associated with an earlier pilgrimage to seek relief from abscesses. This is a historical tradition.
Hiking trails with different points of interest
The Chemin de l’Étang de Pachins connects the mill of Vaureilles with the mill of Pachins. It reopened in 2022. In early August of that year, it was inaugurated with a hike held during the fête votive of Pachins. Check trail conditions locally before setting out.
The “Au pays de Mgr Marty” hiking trail starts in Vaureilles village square, either in front of the war memorial or the town hall. It is 9 kilometres long and has 130 metres of cumulative elevation gain.
When planning your walk, the trails are therefore best considered according to their different features: the Chemin de l’Étang de Pachins focuses on connecting the two mills, while “Au pays de Mgr Marty” has a stated starting point, distance and elevation gain. This can help you decide which details matter most for your hiking plans.
Landscape, protected area and village life
Part of the municipality of Vaureilles lies within the Natura 2000 site “Étangs du Ségala,” a Special Area of Conservation with the code FR 7300876. The protected-area designation dates from 2007. The village’s rural landscape and a clearly identified protected area thus come together in its description; the designation applies to part of the municipality, not to the entire village.
The fête votive of Vaureilles is also part of village life. The 2026 municipal bulletin reports that, on the festival Sunday, a lawn-mower tractor race was held for the second year in a row and was a great success. The programme may vary, so check the specific dates if you wish to plan your trip around a festival.
Les Jardins de la Montanie in Vaureilles is an organic vegetable farm offering direct sales by telephone or online order. Check the current ordering arrangements before placing an order. Together with the churches and the different hiking trails, it helps create a picture of a village where culture, landscape and practical activities come together.
Discover more destinations: Lestrade-Et-Thouels, Saint-Georges-De-Luzençon, Trémouilles, Curières, Verrières, Sainte-Eulalie-De-Cernon, Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, Rignac.
For the wider travel overview: Aveyron.
