Parc naturel régional de l'Aubrac, Regional Natural Park in Occitania and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The Parc naturel régional de l'Aubrac is a protected area spanning multiple departments with plateaus, open grasslands, forested valleys, and numerous streams flowing through the terrain. The landscape shifts between rolling pastures and wooded sections, with water sources at varying elevations feeding into the river systems.
The park was established in the 1970s to protect and support traditional production methods, particularly cheese-making on the plateaus. This conservation effort aimed to safeguard the region's distinctive agricultural practices from being lost or transformed.
The area is known for its traditional cheese-making, especially Laguiole cheese, which is produced in small stone buildings scattered across the pastures. This craft and building style remain central to local identity and shape how people relate to the land today.
The area is accessible by foot and by car, with trails and local roads connecting the different sections. It helps to have a map or navigation aid since the terrain is spread out and finding your way in some areas can be challenging.
Much of the area consists of open pasture filled with wild grains and herbs that give the local cheese its distinctive taste. This connection between the plant life and cheese production is often overlooked by visitors but deeply valued by locals.
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