Hautefeuille

6 points of interest

• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  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. 
• 

  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.