Saint-Flour

Visit Saint-Flour, Auvergne

Saint-Flour is found in the Cantal department, to the south of the Auvergne region, next to the Ander River. The town is divided into two distinct parts - an upper town, situated on a rocky cliff above the river, and a lower town.

Explore Saint-Flour

It is the historical upper town that is interesting to visitors and where your visit will be centred.

The Place des Armes is the main square in Saint Flour and has an unusual, rather sombre look because the buildings are built using the volcanic rock of the region. The rather austere Cathedral of Saint-Pierre is in this upper town on this square, and features an unusual carved statue of Christ in black wood.

Behind the cathedral and on the edge of the square there is a view across the lower part of the town. To the right of the cathedral the episcopal palace now plays host to the Museum of the Haute Auvergne, while an impressive renaissance period building houses the Museum of Art and History (the Douet Museum).

Radiating off the Place des Armes and the cathedral are the interesting historical streets of Saint-Flour. These streets feature some attractive buildings in the narrow streets of the old town - and also some less remarkable buildings.

Close to the Place des Armes is the Eglise Saint Vincent which is a Gothic church built in the 15th century.

Another square in the upper town is the Place de la Halle. The main building of note on the square  is the Halle aux Blé which is a 14th century Gothic religious building which was converted in the 19th century into a trading point for grain. It was later again used as a covered market, a role it had until 1980.

Saturday mornings are the best day to visit Saint Flour when the streets fill with market stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Be sure to try the local speciality, the delicious Cantal cheeses.

Places to visit near Saint-Flour

The Gabarit Viaduct close to the town is interesting and attractive, and was constructed by Gustave Eiffel to allow trains to pass over the Truyere Gorges.

It is, as so often with Auvergne towns, the surrounding countryside that will attract you the most in the region, with attractive rolling hills giving way to the more dramatic landscapes of the region. The countryside heading east towards Le Puy-en-Velay through the Allier Gorges is especially noteworthy.

See Auvergne and Cantal (the region and department for Saint-Flour) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Saint-Flour: Recommended detour town (plus beau detour); Saint-Flour falls within the Pays d'art et d'histoire de Saint-Flour region

Photos of Saint-Flour

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Suggested places to visit near Saint-Flour, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Lavaudieu 38km; Laguiole 43km; Riom-es-Montagnes 44km; Parc des Volcans 44km; Tournemire 48km; Salers 48km;

Saint-Flour tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Plomb du Cantal - site of natural beauty (26km) : Puy Griou - site of natural beauty (31km) : Abbaye Saint Pierre (Blesle) - religious monument (32km) : Puy Mary - grand site of france (34km) : Abbaye Saint-Andre (Lavaudieu) - religious monument (34km) : Basilique de Saint Julien (Brioude) - religious monument (37km) : Cascade du Déroc - site of natural beauty (43km) :

See more places and a map at places near Saint-Flour