Saint-Martin-Valmeroux is a charming village with a population of 800, at an altitude of 650 metres, nestling in the lush greenery of the Maronne valley. Former Bailliage of the Monts d'Auvergne between Mauriac and Aurillac. Remarkable historic centre.Saint-Martin-Valmeroux is a charming village with a population of 911, at an altitude of 650 metres, nestling in the lush greenery of the Maronne valley.
A former Bailliage (bailiwick) of the Monts d'Auvergne located on the CD 922 between Mauriac and Aurillac, the commune of Saint-Martin-Valmeroux, associated with Saint-Rémy-de-Salers, has many treasures from the past (14th-century church, houses with turrets, barris and barriades, three-measure grain market, St-Pôl and Vezou chateaus, etc.) but is resolutely modern in its outlook...
Saint-Martin-Valmeroux - This is a market town with key public services (police station, state and private schools, post office, first-aid/rescue centre, rural home for the elderly) and private services, particularly in the health sector. The town also has a large, dynamic and constantly evolving craft, industrial and commercial fabric (Isotoner has its head office here, as St-Martin also owes its prosperity as a former glove-making centre) and is also a pleasant place to stay (campsite with twenty chalets, motorhome stations, hotel and numerous holiday gites).
There's plenty to do in the area, including a heated swimming pool, city park, fitness area, tennis court, riding centre, trout fishing, gymnasium, hiking trails and leisure centre, for tourists and locals alike, who can take advantage of the large number of associations (around 20, many of them in the sporting and cultural fields).
Worthy of note: the Nozières mineral fountain and its healing water, rich in iron bicarbonate and carbonic acid.
The church, a local specimen of Middle Age architecture which is much admired today, replaces its 12th century Romanesque predecessor of which only the bell tower remains, a massive 18 metre high square tower. The porch, as well as the small door set back to the left of the entrance, are Gothic in style.
The upper part of the portal features three painted wooden statues dating from the 17th century.
On the facade of the bell tower, there is a ‘boy with thorn’ sculpture eroded by time.
Inside, on the Gothic keystone of the choir is a shield bearing the arms of Jacques Comborn, Bishop of Clermont and Lord of St Martin, who was responsible for restoring and transforming the building in the 15th century.
Also on display there are the 17th century gilded wooden reliquary bust and a painting by Gustave de Lassalle-Bordes, both dedicated to the patron saint of the commune.
