La Mérodie

Heritage site and architecture

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Through the green and hilly countryside of the Combraille, the Mérodie circuit invites you to discover the surroundings of Auzances, between Auvergne and Limousin.

Situated on a rocky spur, overhanging the curve of a wood-covered valley, the site of Auzances expanded until the 20th century commercially and artisanally through the tanneries and many mills installed along "La Noisette" which use hydraulic energy. Today, it is an agricultural basin for cattle breeding.

3 points of interest

Heritage site
Church of St. James the Greater
Colourful Byzantine-inspired frescoes, the work of the Russian painter Nicolas Greschny, give the building a rare, even surprising look. Also noteworthy in this partly Romanesque church is the north portal, for its two capitals carved with faces (13th century), and the polychrome piéta (16th century) behind the altar. The superb Descent from the Cross (late 16th/early 17th century), is a rare copy of the work of Daniele da Volterra, brought back from Rome by Canon Brousse, recently restored & classified as a historic monument.
Heritage site
Ste Anne's Chapel
Next to the small "Gothic bridge" over the Noisette River, the chapel of St. Anne was once the burial place of the priests of the parish; some gravestones are still visible on the ground. The small bell tower is covered in chestnut shingles.
Heritage site
Ancient Walls
During the Hundred Years' War, Auzances was attacked by English troops. Certainly, at this time that the château was destroyed. The Rue des Jardins now marks the limit of the ramparts, of which a turret remains.

Description

Leaving the Tourist Information Office, go through the Market Square and take the street that goes down to the right of the church. Go to the bottom of this street, to the Stop sign. Cross the Rue de l'Abattoir, cross the small gothic bridge over the La Noisette River and head towards the Chapelle Sainte Anne.
Then take the road that goes up and past the cemetery. At 200 m, go into the Chemin de l'Echalou.
At the end of this path, take the road on the left for 500 m to a crossroads.
Turn right towards Le Monsenergue, go past the Grandes Farges farm, continue towards La Roline. Continue to Monsenergue.
Go through the hamlet by continuing on the public road towards La Mérodie. Go through La Mérodie then take the trail that goes up towards other houses on the left to return to the entrance of the village.
Take the path in the opposite direction to La Roline.
Just after a farm, turn right onto the Chemin des Pantoufles. Continue on this grassy path and cross La Noisette at the Moulin Pointu.
Cut the departmental road and take the sloping road opposite the Moulin Cagnol, continue in the Rue des Jardins and at the top, turn left into the Rue Pasteur to reach the starting point again.

Departure : Tourist Information Office, Place du Marché, Auzances
Arrival : Tourist Information Office, Place du Marché, Auzances
Towns crossed : Auzances and Les Mars

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Information desks

Rue de l'Etang, 23700 Auzances

05 55 67 04 99

Access and parking

Access to Auzances by the D 988 (Clermont-Fd road) and the D 996 (Evaux les Bains road)

Parking :

Place du Marhé, Auzances

Accessibility

Emergency number :112

More information

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