The village of Courpiere is in the Puy-de-Dome department of the Auvergne region of France. Situated set in the heart of the Livradois-Forez natural park, the village is just 10 kilometres from Thiers with its remarkable medieval centre.
Explore Courpiere
Courpiere is a village with a pleasant centre to explore. As is often the case with French villages the most interesting building is home to the Office de Tourism and here you can pick up a map to guide you round the key features of the village.
The building housing Courpiere tourist office dates back to the 14th century and has a lovely half-timbered first floor. Notice also its incredibly sloping roof.
Also look out for houses numbered 13,17 and 21 on the 'Place de la Cite' - the main square in the village - which also have interesting architectural features.
The church of Saint Martin was built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier church. This church is a particularly notable example of Romanesque art in the area - take a look at the chapitres sculpted with fern leaves.
As you walk around Courpière you will notice a couple of towers as well as various other interesting architectural details.
Interestingly one of the tattiest buildings in the whole village is the house where Coco Chanel lived from 1888 to 1893. I'm suprised this has not been turned into a museum with artefacts from her enormously interesting life!
Places to see nearby
Courpiere is in the Livradois-Forez natural park and a good way to explore the park is to follow a circular route around various villages that have been highlighted as being particularly interesting. These are: Thiers, Chateldon, Olliergues, Ambert, Viverols, La Chaise-Dieu, Allegre, Auzon, Sauxillanges and Billom.
Another way to see the park is to head a few kilometers south and take the tourist train from Olliergues to Ambert, or from Ambert to Sembadel. At Olliergues the tourist train is a steam train making it a good choice if you have children.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Puy-de-Dome guide and the Auvergne guide.
Photos of Courpiere
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Map of Courpiere and places nearby
Visit near Courpiere with France This Way reviews
Thiers
Not always considered a tourist destination, Thouars actually has a facscinating historical centre with several interesting highlights
Thiers guide
Olliergues
Olliergues is a small village with an unspoiled historic centre in the Livradois-Forez naturel parc
Olliergues guide
Billom
It is the half-timbered houses and medieval gateways that provide the charm in the centre of Billom
Billom guide
Chateldon
The ancient city of Chateldon still retains an important part of its medieval castle and fortifications
Chateldon guide
Sauxillanges
The principal monuments in Sauxillanges, the monastery and the castle, are not open to the public but the village is still pleasant for a look when you are in the region
Sauxillanges 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 Puy-de-Dome
Address: Courpière, Thiers, Auvergne, 63120, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.755833, longitude 3.538611
Plan your visit to Courpiere, Puy-de-Dome
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Aulteribe Chateau: national monument (4 km)
- Thiers: secteur sauvegarde (11 km)
- Livradois-Forez: regional natural parc (23 km)
- Bois Noirs: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Ambert: recommended detour (28 km)
- Collégiale Saint-Victor et Sainte-Couronne d'Ennezat (Ennezat): religious monument (29 km)
- Usson: most beautiful village (30 km)
- Montpeyroux: most beautiful village (30 km)
- Jardins du château d'Hauterive: remarkable garden (32 km)
- Issoire: recommended detour (32 km)
- Parc du domaine royal de Randan: remarkable garden (32 km)
- Eglise de Saint Austremoine d'Issoire (Issoire): religious monument (33 km)
Market days in Courpiere, France
Regular market(s) are held in Courpiere each Tuesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Courpiere (Francais)