Via Allier à vélo – Stage 07 – Puy-Guillaume > Pont-du-Château

Don’t miss :
● Maringues : dating back to Gallo-Roman times, Maringues is an ancient town occupying a defensive site, with narrow streets concentrated on the hilltop topped by the church, a former priory of the Chaise-Dieu founded in the 11th century.
● Saint-Laure : pigeonnier sur pilotis (dovecote on stilts) : listed as a Historic Monument, it is one of a dozen or so pigeon lofts in the commune.
● Lezoux : ceramics museum : during Antiquity, Lezoux was the largest center for the production of sigillated ceramics in the Roman Empire. The museum showcases Lezoux’s archaeological wealth.
● Joze : Espace Naturel Sensible de la vallée de Joze à Maringues : one of the most interesting areas in the Puy-de-Dôme in terms of river dynamics and natural environments.
● Pont-du-Château :
Pont-du-Château bridge : designed by M. de Régemorte between 1765 and 1773, after almost 150 years of crossing the river on a “ferry”, this new stone bridge enabled Route Royale 89 to continue its route between Lyon and Bordeaux. |
Château : burnt down in 1580 following a plague epidemic, the château was rebuilt in the mid-17th century. In the 18th century, the facade was harmoniously altered.
Église Sainte-Martine : the Romanesque church was renovated in the second half of the 20th century. All stones have been restored to their original warm colors.
Musée de la batellerie de l’Allier : the museum recounts the river past of Pont-du-Château, which was the main port of the Clermont-Ferrand region from the 16th to the 19th century. Wood, coal, wine, Volvic stone and hemp all passed through its quays, often on their way to Paris. The town’s wealth was based on its barge business.
MARKETS : Maringues : Monday mornings ; all products fair every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month 7am – 1pm / Lezoux : Saturday mornings / Pont-du-Château : Thursday and Saturday mornings.