Pays d'Art et d'Histoire
Discover the hidden treasures of the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire du Haut-Allier
Nestled in the heart of magnificent natural surroundings, the Allier valley and gorges reveal an exceptional historical, architectural, and artistic heritage.
The Haut-Allier Region of Art and History, certified by the Ministry of Culture, works to promote this wealth through events, guided tours, educational activities, and exhibitions.
The region offers a wealth of villages, Romanesque churches, murals, medieval castles and traditional buildings that are often overlooked but reveal local expertise and identity.
Why is this a
“Land of Art and History”?
The VPAH (Cities and Regions of Art and History) label recognizes municipalities or groups of municipalities that are actively promoting knowledge, conservation, and mediation of heritage, while ensuring architectural quality and quality of life. It thus enables the development of a coherent heritage policy, supports restoration, promotes the region, raises awareness among residents, and offers high-quality cultural activities.
In 2022, this national network brought together 202 certified structures in France, including 22 Cities and Regions of Art and History in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, led by the Drac Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Through its missions, the Haut-Allier Region of Art and History is fully committed to this dual challenge: preserving the past while making it widely accessible to today's audiences.
The heritage of Haut-Allier:
a thousand faces to explore
The Haut-Allier region has more than sixty paintings, created between the 12th and 19th centuries, often in religious buildings. These frescoes, sometimes painted in fresco or tempera, bear witness to the artistic richness of the area.
The Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette, birthplace of the Marquis de Lafayette, is an important memorial and cultural site. It hosts exhibitions, traces the international career of this famous figure, and offers guided tours.
Notable buildings include the Cluniac priory of Lavoûte-Chilhac, the Pont de Lavoûte bridge, the typical villages bordering the gorges, the fortified castle of Saint-Ilpize, and the Saint-Michel chapel in Brioude, with its ancient frescoes.
Throughout the hamlets and villages, traditional buildings (with slate roofs and volcanic stone) tell the story of rural life in days gone by. The facades, narrow streets, stairways, old wash houses, and agricultural terraces all contribute to the identity of the landscape.
The Haut-Allier is like a mosaic: from the Margeride to the Devès plateau, through the steep-sided valleys of the Allier and its tributaries, contrasts follow one another. The landscape is marked by ancient human occupation (agricultural terraces, orchards, vineyards).
Throughout the year, the Haut-Allier PAH organizes guided tours, temporary exhibitions, workshops for children and school groups, and heritage trails.
During European Heritage Days, free tours are offered.
The PAH is also involved in heritage restoration, advising municipalities (on architecture, renovation, materials), and developing tourist sites. It also plays a role in supporting tourism development, ensuring the quality of visitor services and the consistency of projects.