Monuments, heritage, tourism

In the valley of the Allier :

From north to south

• Auzon
  
  Historic village built on a promontory around the abbey.      
  Collégiale St. Laurent. 12th century romanesque church, 14th century murals. Guided visits until 12/09, at 10 am and 3 pm.
• Brioude
  
  Aquarium, Freshwater aquarium telling the story of the Allier, one of France's main salmon rivers
  Le Doyenné  - The medieval deanery, with its unique 14th century painted ceiling, is now an arts centre hosting major exhibitions each summer. 2018 Chagall - 2019 Miro - de Staël - 2022 Picasso
  Maison de la Dentelle - lace museum
  Old streets - medieval houses, weekly market Saturday morning
  
  
  
  St. Julian's Basilica - the largest romanesque church in Auvergne, and one of the finest. Classed with the top three-star ranking by the Michelin  Green guide. Medieval 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 
  
  Musée de la vigne - this museum tells the story of Haut Alliers heritage as a wine producing area
  Stone bridge - Fine 19th century single-span stone bridge over the Allier
  Medieval hump-backed bridge at La Bageasse
  Site of the village.
  Small romanesque church
• 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.

   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
  
  * 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.
  * Clunisiac abbey , formerly a major monastery, founded in the 11th century. Important medieval polychrome crucifixion.
• Saint-Cirgues
  Saint-Cirgues
  Mediaeval church, with a remarkable collection of   murals (14th and early 15th century), some in very good condition.
• Chilhac:
  
  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.
• Peyrusse
  
  Abbey, with remarkable mediaeval polychrome sculptures.
• Aubazat
  
  Mediaeval church, with remarkable polychrome sculptures, and some remaining mediaeval wall paintings.
• Langeac:
  
  Attractive historic town centre.  
  Market on Thursday mornings.
  Tourist train up the Allier Gorge.  Website.
• Chanteuges 
  
  Romanesque abbey and cloisters perched on a rocky outcrop above the village and the river.