Montpeyroux

Visit Montpeyroux, Auvergne

Montpeyroux is 15km south of Clermont Ferrand, and 15km north of Issoire, next to the A75 motorway in central France (in the Puy de Dome department of the Massif Central)- it is classified as a 'most beautiful villages of France'.

Originally a wine growing region, the area around Montpeyroux suffered greatly from the phylloxéra outbreak in the 19th century which devastated many vineyards in France. More recently, with the enthusiasm and backing of the village since the 1950's, Montpeyroux has had a revival, based largely on tourism.

Exploring Montpeyroux

The small town is a very pleasant place to stop as you hurtle along the motorway towards the south of France - a few minutes exploring the attractive narrow streets and alleys and you forget that you still have a couple more hours journey ahead of you!

The village is built from the local white stone after which the village takes its name (Montpeyroux = stony hill / 'mont pierreux') and stands 460 metres above sea level. This raised postion means the village has far-reaching views across the surrounding region.

The centre of the town contains a 13th century fortress tower (donjon), that towers over Montpeyroux village. An attractive 14th century clock gate can also be seen, remaining from the days when the village was surrounded by a fortified wall.

With a maze of small streets to explore, and small gardens to peep into, the village has been largely restored in recent years and is now a 'most beautiful villages of France'.

In the 'centre' there are also a few restaurants, art galleries etc and places to sit and quietly pass the time. (I ate in La Vigne restaurant, which is highly recommended)

Note, parking in the village itself is not possible, but there is a large free car park just on the edge of Montpeyroux, just moments away from the town itself.

Local highlights

The nearby villages of Saint-Saturnin, Usson and Saint-Floret (among others) are also worth a visit and close to Montpeyroux, and the 'Grand Site' of Puy-de-Dome is a little west of Clermont-Ferrand.

See Auvergne and Puy-de-Dome (the region and department for Montpeyroux) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Montpeyroux: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Photos of Montpeyroux

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Suggested places to visit near Montpeyroux, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Saint-Nectaire 17km; Clermont-Ferrand 20km; Murol 21km; Puy-de-Dome 25km; Orcival 29km; Mozac 29km; Volvic 30km; Riom 31km; Mont-Dore 31km; Livradois-Forez Regional Park 32km; Blesle 34km;

Montpeyroux tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Jardins du château d'Hauterive - remarkable garden (9km) : Eglise Notre Dame (Saint-Saturnin) - religious monument (10km) : Eglise de Saint Austremoine d'Issoire (Issoire) - religious monument (10km) : Jardins du château de la Batisse - remarkable garden (12km) : Jardins du château d'Opme - remarkable garden (14km) : Villeneuve-Lembron Chateau - national monument (16km) : Eglise de Notre Dame (Saint-Nectaire) - religious monument (18km) : Cathédrale Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Clermont-ferrand) - religious monument (20km) :

See more places and a map at places near Montpeyroux