Little tour in Issoire city

This masterpiece of the Romanesque art in Auvergne was constructed in the 12th century by Benedictine monks from Charroux in the Poitou area. It has been listed Historical Monument in 1840. This church has been devoted to Saint-Austremoine, one the 7 evangelists send by the Pope to evangelize the Gaul. According to Grégoire de Tours, Saint-Austremoine would be at the origin of the foundation of the abbey of Issoire. In the 16th century, Issoire is particularly affected by the Religion Wars. In 1575, the abbey has been vandalized by the captain Huguenot Merle, and the archives have been destroyed. The cloistered life of the city of Issoire ended under the French Revolution, further to the suppression of religious orders. This church forms the group of the 5 major Romanesque churches of the Puy de Dome with Notre-Dame du Port (in Clermont-Ferrand), Saint-Nectaire, Saint-Saturnin and Notre-Dame d’Orcival.

The Romanesque Art Centre Geoges Duby: located next to the Romanesque abbey-church Saint-Austremoine, presents the vestiges of the old Benedictine abbey-church, which, in the middle Ages, adjoined the church. Two period of restoration gave back to these vaulted rooms their original aspect. With its stone collection and its exhibitions, it forges a link between the past, the present and the future of human beings. Free access. Phone number : 04.73.89.56.04

The ground floor of this large private 15th century mansion retains the traces of ancient medieval shops. The bay windows were redesigned in the 18th century. On the second floor one can see key stones decorated with palm leaves. At the corner of the building there is a niche covered by a Gothic caopy which holds a statue of Saint-Austremoine. At the back of the building one can see a tower with a spiral staircase which served all the floors.

With its two arhways and vaulted gallery, tjis is the last witness to the gallery which could have lined the place of the République up to the Chancelier Duprat mansion. It is the birthplace of Doctor Gabriel Roux (1833 - 1914) a researcher, who discovered the first use of penicillin, 31 years before Feming.

Registered in the supplementary list of historic monuments in 1965, this mansion is one of the rare houses in the town to have been built during the Renaissance period, between the end of the 16th century and the 17th century. It still has one of the first straight staircases with balusters which serves the body of the building in a U shape around the interior courtyard.

It is an emblematic monument in the town center and was built in 1823 according to the plans of the architect Ledru. At the top of this fountain, there was a statue of "Republique". During the Second world War, this statue was hidden from the Occupying Forces by the Issoirians. But after the war ended, instead of returning the statue where it had been, it was installed in the square Rene Cassin until it was stoeln by persons unknown in March 1994.

The ground floor has a beautiful 15th century gothic door whose arched tympanum is decorated with flamboyant tracery. The courtyard and the main body of the building are connected by galleries and a spiral staircase. The private mansions on each side of the building are connected to each other by interior passageways.

This private 15th century mansion, situated at the junction of the place de la Republique and the rue de la Berbiziale, is made up of several buildings surrounding an inner courtyard. On the corner there is a rectangular shaped turret. On the first floor overlooking the rue Berbiriale are two large low arches (perhaps the remains of old shops), whilst the bay windows of the upper floors are decorated with 18th century ironwork.

An ancient bell tower, the Clock Tower was commissioned in the 15th century by Austremoine Bohier and his brother Antoine, both of whom were merchants and consuls in Issoire. Originally, the bell tower had several functions : watchtower and town hall. Its present shape dates from its restoration in 1830. Today the Tour de l'Horloge has become a place of discovery, exploration and experimentation thanks to an open and wide program of events. Its belvedere offers a unique viewpoint of the town and the surrounding countryside, from the Puy de Sancy to the Livradois mountains and the Allier valley.

The construction of this hall, in the neoclassic style, dates from the strart of the 19th century. It was a warehouse for the wheat which was harvested around Issoire. In 1942, the town council became concerned by lack of use of the builidng, and so in the 1950s the building became a community hall. So this traditional symbol changed to a modern gathering place for associations and the festive life of the town, giving great pleasure to all the inhabitants of Issoire.

This house has a beautiful classic facade made out of local white and pink arkose. If you look closely you can see evidence of a more ancient past in the form of two reused carved stone heads above the doorway.

This building is made up of a central part and two side wings. The symmetrical principal façade, which has three floors, features a monumental central staircase. This style of architecture reflects the republican ideals of the end of the 19th century.

You cannot think of visiting Issoire whitout a detour to its central square. This refreshing and restful place, much liked by townspeople and tourists, is a good way to start a visit to the historic centre of the town. Several influences combine to produce a place of charm and elega,ce, which is even better in good wheather.