A certified Land of Art and History, Saint-Flour is located at the intersection of the Truyère gorges, the Mounts of Cantal and Margeride. Perched on its rocky overhang, this thousand-year-old town was built at the tip of Europe's biggest stratovolcano. It contains many historic treasures, some of which are linked to its past as Haute-Auvergne's religious capital.
When you arrive in Saint-Flour, take the time to admire the superb view of the upper town, with its natural ramparts of volcanic origin and its medieval fortifications. A tour of the historic centre will take you from picturesque side streets to fortified gates, to discover the 14th and 15th-century Cathedral of St. Peter, a Gothic building made of black lava stone. It is famous for its large statue of Christ made of walnut tree wood, the "Beautiful Black God", probably made in the 12th century.
Near the cathedral, in the old ramparts, the Roches terrace and its orientation table will offer you lovely panoramic views of the lower town and the Margeride mountains!
Don't miss a chance to stop by the old 17th-century episcopal palace adjoining the cathedral, which is now the Museum of Haute-Auvergne, to discover the region's folk art. It has one of France's finest collections of home furnishings, works of religious art and archaeological collections.
Boasting a remarkable Renaissance façade, the consular house has been home to the Alfred Douët Museum of Art and History since the early 20th century. It offers some eclectic fine art and decorative art collections, acquired by the collector Alfred Douët.
The vast parade ground lined by arcades and façades from a bygone age, the Governor's House on 31 rue Marchande, or the Halle aux Bleds, an old collegiate church from the 14th century, where art exhibitions take place in summer, as well as the market on Saturday mornings in the winter season, are some of the places where the town's historical heritage is clear to see.
