フィックス・サン・ジェニィズ周辺のアトラクション＆必見スポット - トップ13

The birthplace of General Lafayette (who played a crucial role in the American War of Independence) is here in a tiny Auvergne village.

Nestled in the heart of the Allier valley, the chapel of Sainte-Marie-des-Chazes is one of the architectural jewels of Haut-Allier. Built in the 13th century, it reveals an Auvergne Romanesque style.

Village center

The summit, Durande, is an ancient isolated volcano that offers a magnificent 360° panorama as far as Mont Blanc.

If in Auvergne there are several personalities who have marked history, the Marquis de Lafayette is one of the most important. Both a great craftsman in the American Revolutionary War and a leading figure during the French Revolution, he was born and spent his childhood here. If history buffs choose to visit the castle, the more athletic can take advantage of the nature around the castle to run in the footsteps of the childhood of the “hero of two worlds”.

If in Auvergne there are several personalities who have marked history, the Marquis de Lafayette is one of the most important. Both a great craftsman in the American Revolutionary War and a leading figure during the French Revolution, the "hero of two worlds" was born and spent his childhood here. His story is obviously fascinating and you can walk around the castle to discover the environment in which he grew up but also visit the castle to learn more.

As the sign clearly indicates, you are at a place called Le Cros, on a very small part of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques. You can take this path to reach Le Puy-en-Velay located further south. From this town begins the via Podiensis. The Puy route is with the Arles route, the Tours route and the Vézelay route, one of the four paths leading to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. From there begins the French way which crosses the Pyrenees to reach Santiago de Compostela.

This town, like so many others in the department of La Haute-Loire, is located at the foot of a volcano. The department has more than 500. This once very prosperous village is dominated by "La Potence". This name is given to the particular ruins of its medieval castle, which dominates the village.