Allegre is in the Haute Loire department in the Auvergne region of France where is at the southern tip of the lovely Livradois-Forez natural park close to La Chaise-Dieu. The village is built on the south side of the volcano of Baury.
Explore Allegre
You enter the main part of Allegre through a fortified gate, the 'Porte de Monsieur' and the village then winds uphill towards the ruins of a castle at the top.
The main part of the village is about halfway up the hill and sits tucked into the hillside with a ring of attractive houses and a church surrounding the main square, the Place du Marchedial.
There are eight 'hotels particuliers' in the centre of Allegre: these are luxurious houses built for the most prosperous residents. The 'hotel de Bar' is one of the most distinctive with its round tower which contains a stone staircase.
You will also notice two churches of interest in Allegre. The Notre Dame de l'Oratoire has a 16th century Pieta in painted wood, and the Saint-Martin church has a Gothic style choir.
George Sand stayed at Allegre in 1859 before writing "Jean de la Roche" whose action takes place at the nearby Chateau de la Rochelambert.
Allegre Castle
From the centre of the village you can continue to climb the hill to reach the castle. The ruins of the old chateau of Allegre dominate the view for some distance around, especially at night when it is illuminated.
If you walk up to the ruins there is an orientation table and a great view over the surrounding countryside. The castle is at an altitude of 900 meters.
Places to visit nearby
Allegre is at the southern tip of the Livradois-Forez natural park. A good way to explore the park is by visiting the twelve villages highlighted as being of particular historic or artistic interest. Allegre is one of them and the others are spread out around the park: the other villages are Auzon, Sauxillanges, Billom, Courpiere, Thiers, Chateldon, Olliergues, Ambert, Viverols and La Chaise-Dieu.
Just outside the park to the west of Allegre is Lavaudieu, one of the classified "most beautiful villages" of France and well worth a visit. As well as being very pretty it has a church containing some excellent 14th century frescoes and an abbey with roman style cloisters.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Haute-Loire guide and the Auvergne guide.
Photos of Allegre
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Hotels in Allegre
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Map of Allegre and places nearby
Visit near Allegre with France This Way reviews
La Chaise-Dieu
The church, cloisters and Danse Macabre fresco in the abbey are the major attraction in La Chaise-Dieu
La Chaise-Dieu guide
Lavaudieu
Lavaoudieu is listed among the most beautiful villages in France, and has the roman style Abbey de Lavaudieu as principal attraction
Lavaudieu guide
Le Puy-en-Velay
The town of Le Puy-en-Velay is very interesting to visit and an important pilgrimage town, as seen in its many religious monuments and statues.
Le Puy-en-Velay guide
Brioude
Brioude is most visited for the Basilica Saint-Julien, the largest romanesque church in the Auvergne
Brioude guide
Auzon
The cobbled streets of Auzon wind up the hill from the river, passing an imposing church and medieval houses
Auzon guide
Ambert
The quiet town of Ambert in the Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez has a small medieval centre to explore
Ambert guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Loire
Address: Allègre, Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne, 43270, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.200278, longitude 3.7125
Plan your visit to Allegre, Haute-Loire
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Eglise de Saint Georges (Saint-Paulien): religious monument (9 km)
- Lavaudieu: most beautiful village (21 km)
- Le Puy-en-Velay Hotel-Dieu St Jacques (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (22 km)
- Le Puy-en-Velay cathédrale Notre-Dame (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (22 km)
- Le Puy-en-Velay: recommended detour (22 km)
- Basilique de Saint Julien (Brioude): religious monument (28 km)
- Jardin de l’écomusée: remarkable garden (28 km)
- Abbaye Saint-Andre (Lavaudieu): religious monument (28 km)
- Cascade de la Beaume: site of natural beauty (32 km)
- Prieuré de Saint Julien (Saint-Julien-Chapteuil): religious monument (32 km)
- Lac du Bouchet: site of natural beauty (33 km)
- Mont Mouchet: site of natural beauty (37 km)
Market days in Allegre, France
Regular market(s) are held in Allegre each Wednesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Allegre (Francais)