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 The
north of the Haute Loire department, from Auzon to Chanteuges via
Brioude and
Langeac, offers a wealth of opportunities in terms of heritage tourism,
ecotourism and visits. Whether in the "Pays d'art et d'histoire" (rural
heritage areas of outstanding artistic
and historical value) or in the immediate vicinity, this is a
region that abounds in historic monuments, castles, old abbeys and
churches, remarkable landscapes, and other unusual tourist attractions
such as underground visits in a Gallo-Roman tin and antimony mine, the
French Resistance museum at Mont Mouchet, or a distillery producing
organic essential oils, at Saint Hilaire.
Picture right: God - detail from 14th century murals in the church of Saint Cirgues.
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In the valley .....
Historic churches
Brioude:
St. Julian's Basilica -
the largest romanesque church in Auvergne, and
one of the finest. Frescoes, carved capitals, stonework, and a
remarkable mediaeval mosaic floor. The location for several concerts.
Visits in July and August daily Tuesday to Saturday. 11 am, 3 pm,
4.30 pm. The 3pm visit lasts an hour, the others half an hour.
Vieille
Brioude.
Romanesque parish church.
St.
Ilpize.
Late romanesque early gothic parish church, with vestiges of mural
paintings.  There is also a delightful
small romanesque chapel in the
castle.
Blassac:
This
small parish church boasts a fine collection of 14th century frescoes
or murals, including the two famous trumpeting angels.
Lavoûte
Chilhac.
Clunisiac abbey , formerly a major monastery, founded in the 11th
century.
 Saint-Cirgues
Mediaeval church, with a remarkable collection of
murals (14th and early 15th century), some in very good condition.
Aubazat
Mediaeval church, with remarkable polychrome sculptures, and some remaining mediaeval wall paintings.
Peyrusse
Small mediaeval chapel, once part of a castle, with murals.
Langeac:
Abbey, with remarkable mediaeval polychrome sculptures, the location for several concerts.
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In the valley:
Museums,
castles,
other monuments.
Brioude
Aquarium, Maison du Saumon
Lacemaking museum - Hôtel de la Dentelle.
Vieille
Brioude:
Museum of the vine - Musée de la vigne
 Saint Ilpize.
* Mediaeval fortress, standing atop a volcanic rock, three hundred feet
above the river Allier below. Free access.
* Old suspension bridge, high above the river Allier. Built in 1879 by
Arnodin, this was the first modern suspension bridge in France.
* Vine conservatory - collection of historic varieties in a restored
vineyard.
Lavoûte
Chilhac
* Magnificent late medieval triple-arch stone bridge across the river
Allier
* Maison des Oiseaux - museum and diorama of the exceptionally rich
bird life in the Haut Allier.
Chilhac:
* Old small town perched dramatically on top of an old volcanic
lava-flow, beside the river Allier.
* Amazing basaltic "organ
rocks", and 19th century suspension bridge over the Allier.
*
Christian Guth Paleontological museum, small, but top quality museum
with the fossilized remains of mastodons, rhinoceros and other
creatures that inhabited this area 2 million years ago.
Langeac:
Tourist train through the Allier gorges. Departs 9 a.m. Spectacular scenery, and a
guided tour.
Traditional
markets:
Brioude (Saturdays) , Langeac (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
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In the
vicinity (less than 20 km
from the river Allier)
 Lavaudieu:
The finest romanesque cloisters in Auvergne, abbey church and
refectory, with fine mural paintings.
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In the vicinity (less than
20 km
from the river Allier)
Ally:
Historic windmills,
plus a gallo-roman and 19th century antimony mine. Underground visits.
Domeyrat
Fine mediaeval
fortress. Historic reeanctments during the summer.
Chaviniac
Lafayette
Chateau, birthplace of Lafayette
Léotoing:
Hilltop village overlooking the valley of the Allagnon. Impressive
ruins of medieval castle, renovated terraces, magnificent views.
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Within
50 km
Le
Puy en Velay
Remarkable romanesque cathedral and cloisters, with unusual use of
coloured stonework. One of the main departure points on the great
pilrimage route to Compostella.
Chapelle
St Michel de l'Aiguilhe, le Puy
Tenth century hermitage chapel perched on top of a spire of volcanic
rock.
Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu
Ancient Benedictine Abbey, founded in 1043. Famous for its remarkable
mediaeval fresco of the Dance of Death, and for its classical music
festival in August.
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Within
50 km
Le
Mont Mouchet,
Museum of the French Resistance
Well presented museum commemorating the activities of the French
Resistance in this area in the Second World War. |
To be completed....
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