The area

Prades: between granite and basalt On leaving its deep gorges, the river Allier spreads out over the Prades basin. It receives the tumultuous waters of the Seuge and the Besque, two tributaries that rush down from the Margeride plateau. Here more than anywhere else, the Allier forms a natural barrier between two very different geological formations: to the west the crystalline basement of the Margeride and to the east the volcanic massif of the Devès.  High volcanic activity has given birth to imposing columnar basalt: the rock of Prades.

Seen from above Nothing like gaining a little height for appreciating the Langeadois countryside. From the Mont Saint-Roch to the summit of the Mont Briançon; from the Durande to Saint-Bérain; from Desges to Pinols; from Tailhac to Lestival, … there is no lack of points of view.

Atlantic salmon The salmon’s life cycle is quite remarkable. Born in the spring, the alevin stay amongst the pebbles for the first few weeks of their lives. At the end of the summer, when they are about 10 cm long, they become parr and feed on aquatic invertebrates. After a year, they change into smolt. Taking on their silver colour, with the help of rises in the water level they begin their migration towards the sea. After a journey of 5,000 km across the Atlantic Ocean, they arrive at their maturing areas off the coast of Greenland They stay there from 1 to 4 years and once they have reached their adult size, they return to the river where they were born for reproducing.

The forest of Pourcheresse The national forest of Pourcheresse, formerly the property of the lords of Langeac is today the home of several discovery paths, which, in turn, lead the visitor to the hermitage of Saint-Gal, the ferruginous spring, without forgetting the “split” arboretum.

 

Made in Langeac

Mineral ores Coal, stibnite, fluorspar even precious stones and gold, ... the Langeadois area subsoil has been arousing interest for centuries. Closely associated with the railway, mining activities have played an important role in the region’s economic development. Brought to an end in 1975, mining has now been replaced by production units working in polyurethane foam, metals and food-processing.

The national wild salmon conservatory The national wild salmon conservatory, established in Chanteuges at the confluence between the Allier and the Desges, is the largest salmon breeding farm for restocking rivers in Europe today. Through this installation which calls on state-of-the-art technologies, the Allier, the Loire and other European rivers are being restocked.

 

CHANTEUGES 12th century abbey, rebuilt in the 15th century, Romanesque finials, stalls. Saint Anne’s chapel, called the abbot’s chapel, dating back to the 15th century. Remains of the cloister. Various small heritage elements. La Gravière: Bathing, walking, health run. National Wild Salmon Conservatory   CHAZELLES 12th century abbey, rebuilt in the 15th century, Romanesque finials, stalls. Saint Anne’s chapel, called the abbot’s chapel, dating back to the 15th century. Remains of the cloister. Various small heritage elements. La Gravière: Bathing, walking, health run. National Wild Salmon Conservatory   DESGES Romanesque church Sun dial. Picturesque view over the valley.   LANGEAC 16th century collegial, 15th century burial scene in polychrome wood, 16th century stalls. Saint Catherine’s Monastery with chapel and shrine of the Blessed Mother Agnes.  House of the Jacquemart with 17th century murals, sculpted woodwork and ceilings. Viewpoint indicator at the Mont Saint-Roch and Lestival. The blessed lady’s house at Jahon.   MAZEYRAT-D’ALLIER   14th century church renovated in the 16th century. Trefoil window, painted decors. Château du Chassagnon (private). Château du Cluzel (private). At Reilhac, old 10th century Clunisian priory, rebuilt in the 15th and 18th centuries, 18th century reredos and antependium. At Saint-Eble, Clunisian church rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. Unusual octagonal bell-tower in volcanic stone   PEBRAC Imposing buildings from an old abbey founded by Pierre Chavanon in 1062.  15th century church with murals. The Treasure of Pebrac, liturgical objects and a 15th century crib in polychrome wood.

PINOLS At the gates of the Margeride, 19th century market church. Fine view of the wind turbines on the plateau of Ally. PRADES Village built between granite and basalt, overlooked by the Roche Servière (a remarkable natural site 97 meters high) which gives an idea of the power of natural phenomena. Volcanic columns and rocks Romanesque church with murals. Remains of the old feudal castle.   SIAUGUES-SAINTE-MARIE Ruins of a 14th century feudal castle (private). At the top of the Durande, altitude 1299 m, viewpoint indicator with a vast panoramic view. Close by, the maar of Limagne, an old peat bog in a volcano crater.   SAINT-ARCONS-D’ALLIER A high-perched village with a remarkable “éclaté” hotel (Relais et Châteaux). Old mill on the Fioule. 14th – 15th century church. Old priory, 15th century tower, wrought iron cross, gardens and terraces.   SAINT-BERAIN 12th century church renovated in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. A magnificent panoramic view over the Allier gorges.   SAINT-JULIEN DES CHAZES 15th century church with a Virgin in Majesty from the 12th century. Remains of the abbey of Chazes (18th century) Columnar basalt. The Légal torrent waterfall. Notre Dame des Chazes Romanesque chapel.   TAILHAC High-perched village. 15th century church. View over the Auvergne mountains. The “Thuile aux fees” dolmen close by.   VISSAC-AUTEYRAC   In Vissac, remains of the feudal castle. 13th century church with sculpted door and murals Old crosses at Vissac and Vissaguet In Autheyrac, church and chapel of Our Lady of Autheyrac with a 14th century Virgin.

Detailed map