Saint-Flour travel guide

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

Saint-Flour is situated 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. The view of Saint-Flour from below is quite remarkable, with the cliffs acting as natural defences for the original medieval village.

Explore Saint-Flour

It is the historical upper town in Saint-Flour 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 as well as stained glass windows, frescoes and the treaury.

Behind the cathedral and on the edge of the square you can enjoy an impressive 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, the Maison Consulaire, houses the Museum of Art and History (the Douet Museum).

Radiating off the Place des Armes and the cathedral you can explore 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, 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, a 14th century Gothic religious building.

The building was converted in the 19th century into a trading point for grain then was later 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. Also in the Truyere gorges you can visit the 13th century Château d'Alleuze.

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.

Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Cantal guide and the Auvergne guide.

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Map of Saint-Flour and places nearby

Visit near Saint-Flour with France This Way reviews

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