PR 19 : La table basaltique de Chastel

Romanesque church. Year of construction: 12th century. Classified as a historical monument in 1921.Built in the 12th century, the church was initially dedicated to Saint Andrew before being rededicated to the Holy Cross. Two side chapels were added between 1624 and 1627: the Chapel of the Rosary and the Chapel of Saint Anne. The bell tower has undergone several transformations: its upper section was destroyed in 1794, rebuilt in 1850, and then raised in 1890. The building is in the Auvergne Romanesque style, constructed of volcanic tuff, trachyte, basalt, and dressed stone. It features a single nave, wider than the apse, reinforced by buttresses, and a semicircular apse. The west facade is adorned with a round-arched portal, framed by half-arcades resting on columns with foliate capitals. The apse is punctuated by sculpted corbels, some depicting faces or fantastical creatures. The apse has a semi-dome vault, and the choir bay has a barrel vault. There are 14 capitals sculpted in volcanic tuff, dating from the 12th century, decorated with plant motifs, fabulous animals or geometric shapes. The apse is decorated with a set of 12 sculpted corbels, also made of tufa, featuring a variety of motifs (faces, foliage, and fantastical figures). A wooden statue of Saint Roch, patron saint of the parish, is kept in the church. Visit and access: Self-guided tours are possible; collect the keys from the Saignes town hall (04 71 40 62 80).

A footpath leads to the summit of Puy de Saignes, dominated by a beautiful metal cross, and featuring an orientation table and picnic tables.From Place de l'Eglise, follow signs for Le Monteil-Trizac. Free access all year round. You can discover Saignes and the surrounding area on the PR 19 hiking trail: La table basaltique de Chastel, with a short detour to climb to the top of Le Puy.

Two viewpoints offer panoramic views. Discover the plateau on the PR trail: La table basaltique de Chastel.A veritable citadel of lava! From a geological point of view, its origin is uncertain: it is either an ancient lake of hardened lava (a paléolac), a mound detached by erosion from the neighbouring planèze or an ancient lava flow. Naturally defended by high basalt cliffs, this plateau has always attracted man. Archaeological discoveries testify to a Celtic presence, then to a Gallic oppidum that became a Roman stronghold.

Heated outdoor swimming pool open during the summer. It has 3 pools and a solarium terrace for relaxing.

Romanesque-style castle chapel. Year of construction: 12th century. Classified as a historical monument in 1921.Perched atop a basalt rock overlooking the village of Saignes, the Notre-Dame du Château chapel is an iconic remnant of the town's medieval castle. The only nearly intact element of the former fortified castle, it bears witness to a rich historical past and offers breathtaking views of the Sumène valley and the surrounding landscape. The building is constructed of volcanic tuff ashlar. It has a two-bay nave and a pointed barrel vault. The apse is semicircular, vaulted in a semi-dome, and topped with a rounded hipped roof. Six buttresses support the walls, and sculpted corbels, including stylized heads, can be seen on some of the facades. The west portal, restored in the 19th century, features a decorated archivolt, sculpted columns, and a small oculus. A small bell tower, housing a bell, crowns the chapel. Visits and access: Visits are only permitted during guided tours.

Romanesque church. Year of construction: 12th century. Listed as a historical monument in 1968.The Church of Saint Martin in Sauvat is a Romanesque building dating from the 12th century. It is mentioned in the famous "Charter of Clovis," referring to a sanctuary dedicated to Saint Martin in the village of Sauvat ("In villa Salvat est ecclesia … Sancto Martino dicata"). Over time, the building underwent several transformations: two chapels were added, some chancel windows were enlarged around 1660, and a sacristy was built in 1747. The roof and the nave vault were rebuilt in 1730. The bell tower was probably damaged during the French Revolution, then rebuilt and raised during the Restoration. Built in the Auvergne Romanesque style, the church is constructed of volcanic stone, with a western façade of large ashlar blocks. The chancel consists of a chancel bay and a semicircular apse, supported by powerful buttresses. A cornice, supported by sculpted corbels, encircles the apse; some motifs on these corbels evoke other Romanesque churches in the region. The chancel vault houses a fresco discovered in 1977 depicting Christ in glory surrounded by the four Evangelists with their symbolic animals. There is also a statue of the Virgin Mary and a large 18th-century cross. In the adjoining cemetery stands a limestone cross resting on an old baptismal font; sculpted motifs of crosses, flowers, and foliage are still visible. Visit and access: Self-guided tours are possible; keys can be obtained from the Sauvat town hall (04 71 40 64 80).

Gothic-style church. Year of construction: 12th century. Listed as a historical monument in 1963.The church dates from the 12th century and was remodeled until the 15th century. It was the site of a priory of Benedictine nuns. In 1794, during the French Revolution, the bell tower collapsed, and the statues and liturgical objects were destroyed. The current bell tower bears the date 1822, attesting to a post-revolutionary reconstruction. It is a beautiful mixed-style building: the porch is Romanesque, while the chancel and chapels are in the Gothic style. The construction is primarily of volcanic stone typical of the region. The sacristy contains the remains of a "refractory" priest who was slated for canonization. The church roof was restored in the 2000s, and the building is particularly appreciated for its acoustics, which are well-suited for concerts. In the Romanesque nave, ancient capitals remain, some reused in the Gothic chancel. The apse and side chapels feature pointed Gothic vaults. A Romanesque baptismal font is also present. The liturgical furnishings include, in particular, ancient pieces linked to the priory. The church is located in the heart of the hamlet of Chastel-Marlhac, itself situated on a basalt plateau emblematic of the region. This plateau, in the commune of Le Monteil, is formed of basalt from ancient lava flows. Its steep cliffs, basalt columns, and dry grasslands offer a striking landscape. Inhabited since antiquity, it preserves the remains of a Gallic oppidum and a Roman stronghold, testifying to its strategic importance throughout the ages. Visit and access: self-guided visits possible, collect the keys at the Monteil town hall (04 71 40 64 02)

Delimited pitches on flat, shady ground, close to leisure facilities: swimming pool, tennis court, petanque area, children's playground. Pitch only.