Saint-Chamant travel guide

Visit Saint-Chamant (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France)

Saint-Chamant is a small village in the west of the Cantal department of Auvergne. Although not in itself an important destination you are likely to come across Saint-Chamant while exploring the Monts de Cantal so it is useful to know what you should look out for!

Exploring Saint-Chamant

Although the village has two notable monuments, neither is in the centre of the village. In fact here in the centre of Saint-Chamant there is a bar and a small shop, a church and perhaps five houses. There is also a fountain and a large 13th century stone tower called the Tour de Prallat but still not really much to see.

Most of the stalls and other furnishings in the church came from the collegial church that once stood a short distance away...

Chapter House

If you stroll a short distance to the east of the centre you reach the Chapter House. This building, and a collegiale church in the same location, were built in the 15th century. At the time of the French revolution the furnishings were sold and the buildings became abandoned and quickly fell into dereliction.

From the outside the building is quite unassuming, with the appearance of an abandoned farm-building, but if you pass through the arched entrance there is an enclosed courtyard with several balconies, towers and ancient fireplaces and passages. In truth this inside courtyard is also rather neglected but one day when it is all nicely restored it will look very attractive!

Saint-Chamant Chateau

The castle is the principal monument in Saint-Chamant, and is an imposing group of buildings to the east of the village. The castle is in an idyllic setting on a raised area overlooking the beautiful Auvergne countryside.

The original castle here was built in the 14th century but only one tower remains from this building. Most of what we see today was constructed in the 17th century, and also includes the grand staircase and a display of Aubusson tapestries. There is also a permanent exhibition of paintings by the highly reputed local artist François Couderc de Saint-Chamant.

A visit to the castle includes a tour of the inside as well as access to the gardens, which are mostly English style gardens and parkland. However the castle is only open in July and August, and only in the afternoon (14.30-18.30), so we highly recommend you arrange your visit to Saint-Chamant for one of these times if possible.

Attractions nearby

This region halfway between Mauriac and Aurillac is well placed for exploring the natural environment of the Monts du Cantal and the southern part of the Volcanoes Regional Natural Park.

In the immediate vicinity you can follow the quiet road from the centre of Saint-Chamant that leads through lovely countryside to reach Fontanges then continues on to the remarkable historic village of Salers. To the south of Saint-Chamant you will want to visit the village of Tournemire, one of the loveliest villages in the Auvergne and also dominated by its castle.

You can find more travel ideas in the Cantal guide and the Auvergne guide.