Hautefeuille
G.Salat - CC HCC
Saint-Merd-la-Breuille

Hautefeuille

Heritage site and architecture
History
Viewpoint
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A country circuit where magnificent paths with dry stone walls take you to the grounds of the former Hautefeuille château.
A favourite season for exploring this path is spring when Mother Nature is waking up. You can explore several sites in the commune, starting with the Puy de la Garde (805 m), which offers a view of the Puy de Dôme and then the Massif du Sancy. The walk continues to the villages of Manoux (tumulus) and Gourseix. In the latter, a reused stone that may have come from the former Château d'Hautefeuille features the coat of arms of the château owners.

6 points of interest

  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Heritage site

    Saint-Merd

    The name St-Merd is very strange and is, in fact, a contraction of St-Médard. The commune had 191 inhabitants at the last census. In the centre of the village, you will find the church, which was rebuilt in 1527, then refurbished in the 18th and 19th centuries, perhaps to replace an older Templar chapel.
  • B.Reuge
    Panorama

    Puy de Dôme

    The Puy de Dôme is an ancient volcano which gave its name to the eponymous department. At the height of 1,465 metres above sea level, it is the highest volcano in Chaine des Puys, a volcanic complex of 80 volcanoes.
    A TDF antenna has become the symbol of the site and makes it very easy to identify. Also, at its summit, is a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Mercury. While the bravest can make the ascent on foot, a rack and pinion train gives access to the summit.
  • B.Reuge
    Panorama

    Massif du Sancy

    This hike will offer you a remarkable view of the highest volcano in metropolitan France, the Puy de Sancy. At 1885 metres above sea level, this summit is the highest point of the Massif Central. The two streams, the Dore and the Dogne, originate there, and their confluence forms the Dordogne.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Archaeology

    Tumulus of Manoux

    At the exit of the village of Manoux, you will notice a strange mound that turns out to be a tumulus. These man-made hills, made of earth and stones, house in their centre a funerary chamber that was the tomb for a dead person. A little further along the path, the wet meadows were once home to three ponds.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Heritage site

    Coat of arms of Gourseix

    In the centre of the village, take a short round trip to the right and up towards the barn. To the right of the door, take a look at the carved stone which could represent the coat of arms of the Motier de La Fayette family, owners of the Château de Hautefeuille. 
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    History

    Near Hautefeuille

    Locate the 763 metre point marked on the map: this was the site of the château d'Hautefeuille. Its owner, Jean Motier de La Fayette, was killed in 1568 during the Wars of Religion at the battle of Cognat, in the Allier, by the Protestants; they also burned down this fortress. The land was sold by François de La Fayette, husband of the novelist. A château was rebuilt. Described as intact in the 19th century, it was destroyed and then used as a stone quarry.

Description

Departure: park in the church square. Go back towards the centre of the village. Follow the D18. As you leave the village, turn right towards the cemetery
  1. At the cemetery, take the path on the left that joins a track. Follow it to the right; keep straight ahead as far as the road.
  2. Take the road on the right for 200 m. Follow the track on the left, which becomes a path. At the next crossroads, turn left. The path becomes a track; on a bend, go left until you reach the road.
  3. Follow it to the right for 300 m, then take the path to the left. At the next crossroads, turn left and continue for 50 m, then leave the track for a grassy path on the left that leads to Les Manoux. Continue straight on in the village.
  4. Take the road to the left and, 50 m after the bridge, a trail to the right. At the first crossroads, follow the track to the right; cross the stream and then the meadow. In the woods, turn left to find a path. It joins a track that you can take on the left to reach Gourseix.
  5. While you are there, take a 50 m return trip to the right: an interesting stone with a coat of arms can be seen up on the right-hand side of the wall of the barn adjoining the first house. As you leave the village, take the path on the left which joins the road.
  6. Follow it to the right. At the next crossroads, turn left. 200 m. after the La Barrre, after a transformer, take a trail to the right. Follow it, keeping straight ahead; ignore a path on the left; go to the crossroads just before the road on the left. The path meets the road.
  7. Turn left onto it; after the sorting area, take the path on the left to reach the village. Turn right to find the church.
  • Departure : Church Square, Saint-Merd la Breuille
  • Arrival : Church Square, Saint-Merd la Breuille
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Merd-la-Breuille and Flayat

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Several areas are wet, be sure to wear study shoes.

Information desks

Place Quinault, 23500 Felletin

http://www.aubusson-felletin-tourisme.comtourisme.aubusson@gmail.com05 55 66 32 12

Rue Saint-Martin, 19200 Ussel

https://www.tourisme-hautecorreze.fr/05 19 60 00 30

Access and parking

From La Courtine, follow the D996 towards St-Oradoux. Pass St-Oradoux then the pond of Méouze. Turn right on the D. 18 towards St-Merd la Breuille.

Parking :

Church Square, Saint-Merd la Breuille

More information

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