The Cellars of Saint-Julien
Montaigut-le-Blanc
Dogs allowed
Distance 9.5Km
Duration 2h45
Hiking route BOUCLE
Marking Yellow
In pictures
Route description
From Champeix, we then discover, in Saint-Julien, the old Saint-Nectaire maturing cellars dug into the rock. Back through the site of the Marchidial de Champeix, one can only succumb to the temptation to infiltrate its pretty alleys.
Starting point – Starting sign on the square, rue des Halles, near the town hall. Go past the town hall, towards the bridge without crossing it, turn right and go up the Petite Rue Beauregard until you reach the road on the plateau.
1 – Turn left twice.(…)
Trail highlights
– View of the Marchidial district.
– View of Montaigut-le-Blanc castle and the Sancy.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Step 1 : Start sign on the square, rue des Halles, near the town hall. Go past the town hall towards the bridge without crossing it, turn right and walk up Petite Rue Beauregard to the path on the plateau.
Step 2 : Turn left twice. Follow a wide track (view of Champeix). You’ll come to a signpost with a view of the Marchidial district. Leave two paths to the right (view of Montaigut-le-Blanc castle and the Sancy) and descend to a cross-country path. Turn left and continue downhill towards Saint-Julien on an ochre-coloured sunken track. Cross the stream and climb up to the entrance to Saint-Julien village.
Step 3 : Turn left in front of the village school. Cross the Place de la Chapelle. Continue along rue des Granges and chemin des Caves (the entrances to the Saint-Julien cellars). Turn right onto the road to the junction with the D631. Turn left for 30 m down a small track towards the Montaigut-le-Blanc cemetery. Cross the bridge and go up rue de l’Église, then turn left before the monumental gate (panoramic view from the church forecourt) to go back down to the D996.
Step 4 : Cross the road and take the bridge over the Couze Chambon. Turn left immediately and walk along the right bank of the river. Go right up to the first houses. Turn left and drive up to the porch of the Château de Marchidial (gardens).
Next step
Step 5 : Return to the center of Champeix. Turn left to cross the metal bridge back to the parking lot.
Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme – PDIPR.
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Opening hours
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Comfort, facilities and services
- Pets welcome
Additional information
For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.
Dogs allowed Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.
Environment
In the country, Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Access
Champeix, south of Clermont-Ferrand.
Downloadable :
Photo credits : Norbert Dutranoy
Updated on 29 May 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme