“Cabane”. That’s what the Chemin des Burons whispers to those who listen closely. The Chemin des Burons offers a glimpse into a rich pastoral past.
Let’s step back in time to understand the story of the Chemin des Burons. Imagine shepherds in the mountains. They needed shelter while making cheese. These shelters were called burons. The Chemin des Burons likely evokes these ancient structures.
Burons were stone buildings. They had roofs of lauzes or slates. Shepherds used them in the mountains of Cantal. Also Aubrac, Cézallier, Margeride, and Monts Dore were locations of these structures. Burons sheltered cheese production. Cantal, Laguiole, and Fourme d’Aubrac cheeses matured here. Buronniers or cheese makers lived in them during the summer.
The word “buron” comes from “bur.” In old French, “buiron” meant “cabin.” Originally, there were two Occitan names. “Fogal” or “fougal” meant cabins with fireplaces. “Mazuc” or “masuc” were huts made of beech poles covered in earth. Butter and cheese were prepared here.
In the 13th century, “cabana” was common. Then came “fogal.” It indicated a fireplace. “Mazuc” was also used. The French word “buron” appeared in texts in the 17th century. It was used with “mazuc” or “fogal.” By the end of the century, “buron” replaced them in Cantal.
The Chemin des Burons might once have connected such shelters. The path could have been used by shepherds. They moved livestock and cheese. This reminds us of a time. Rural life was closely tied to nature.
By the 19th century, burons evolved. They became solid stone buildings. Some were partly underground. Roofs changed from thatch to lauzes. Each buron had three parts. The upper floor housed the buronniers and hay. The ground floor was for making tome cheese. The cellar aged the cheeses.
Life in a buron was demanding. Four buronniers managed the operation. The roul was a helper. The bedelier cared for the calves. The pastre herded the cows. The cantalès was the cheesemaker. Twice a day, they milked the cows. They carried milk to the buron in gerles. They made the cheese following traditional methods.
Today, many burons are in ruins. Half of Aubrac’s burons are gone. Some are being restored. They are becoming museums or gîtes. The Chemin des Burons serves as a reminder. It connects us to the architectural design of rural life.
So as you walk along the Chemin des Burons today, remember the shepherds. Remember their hard work. Remember the cheese. The Chemin des Burons connects us. It ties us to the story of rural France. The path reminds us of simpler times.