It’s a well-kept secret. The country of Montluçon abounds in hiking trails traced over time for lovers of nature and history.
Rediscover Montluçon’s industrial past
In about ten kilometers, this path takes us back to the industrial era of Montluçon. From the old railway line between Montluçon and Néris-les-Bains, we branch off through the trees to reach the Réaux site, then we discover the route of the old twisted railway, which once transported coal between Commentry and Montluçon.
He takes us to the Marignon viewpoint, from where we can admire the city, then takes us down to the Château de la Louvière, a pastiche of the little Trianon of Versailles created for the Montluçonnais industrialist François-Joseph Troubat. The markup then takes us around the historic heart of Montluçon and takes us along the Cher to the remains of the Fers Hollow factory.
Departure: Kennedy Avenue parking lot at the bottom of the pedestrian path leading to Néris-les-Bains. Yellow markup. 11.5 kilometers.
In the footsteps of George Sand in Saint-Éloy-d´Allier
On the borders of Berry, Creuse and Bourbonnais stands a mysterious castle, which George Sand could have been inspired to write the novel Mauprat. “A small ruined castle, lurking in a ravine whose chipped turrets are only discovered about a hundred paces from the portcullis …” wrote the novelist, familiar with the region.
The ruins of Roche Guillebaud are to be discovered in this hike from Saint-Éloy-d’Allier. A picnic is possible by the lake of Sidiailles.
Departure: church parking lot. 11.5 kilometers. Yellow markup.
Cool off along the Cher gorges from Lignerolles
One can imagine the thick vegetation of the Cher gorges that has been present for millennia, but one must imagine that before industrial mechanization, these slopes were cleared and cultivated. The remains of mills in the middle of the forest bear witness to this era.
Today, the Gorges du Cher are a Natura 2000 area, which preserves rare species such as the Greater Horseshoe Bat or the yellow-bellied Ringing Toad. This route takes us up the Buse rock to better appreciate the majesty of the place.
Departure: parking behind the church. Yellow markup. 9 kilometers.
Along the Tartasse from Marcillat-en-Combraille
You always feel a certain emotion when you cross Saint-Pardoux, a ghostly village in the Tartasse valley, which the Chambonchard dam would have flooded if the project had not been forgotten.
The village of Saint-Pardoux
This is one of the curiosities that this demanding 22-kilometer loop around the river has in store for us. A beautiful immersion in the unspoiled nature of the Combraille.
Departure: parking place du Donjon. 22 kilometers. 650 meters of elevation gain Yellow markup.
When Hedgehog was a Gallic stronghold
At a time when Montluçon was only a rocky outcrop delivered to the wind and crows, Hedgehog was a solid bulwark of the Bituriges Cubes. It is estimated that the Gallic city which dominated the Aumance, apart from the current Hedgehog, was constantly occupied in the five centuries before our era.
Excavations in 2005
This is what you learn by walking this path from the charming village of Hedgehog, which takes us to the Oppidum de Cordes, where excavations in the late 1960s have uncovered many artifacts.
Departure: parking near the church. 6 kilometers. Yellow markup.
Guillaume Bellavoine
Photos: Cécile Champagnat and Florian Salesse
You can find the routes of these hikes in the Topoguides In the land of George-Sand, The Allier… on foot and Montluçon and its surroundings… on foot.
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