The town of Thiers is located east of Clermont-Ferrand, in the Puy-de-Dome department of the Auvergne.
On the edge of the mountains of the Bois Noirs, 800 metres high and beside the ravine of the fast flowing river Durolle that once powered the grinding wheels of the cutlery factories, Thiers looks over the Limagne plain across to the Chaîne des Puys: it is a spectacular view.
The sombre air of medieval Thiers, still best known as the home of the Sabatier knife, belies its centuries of international fame as the capital of French cutlery manufacturing.
Explore Thiers
The approach along the road to the medieval centre of Thiers is a little depressing, as this once wealthy, busy and flourishing town with its little cutlery workshops has become rundown.
Because of the steepness of the streets and the problems of building and rebuilding it has been easier in recent years to build homes, shops and offices at the foot of the hill.
In the medieval centre of Thiers the small cutlery, food and clothing shops remain but on the outskirts shops have closed down, their trade taken over by the supermarkets at the bottom of the hill.
However, especially for those interested in medieval architecture or industrial history it is worth persisting until you come to the very remarkable medieval centre.
A tour of the narrow streets around Rue du Pirou takes you past magnificent stone doorways, under bridges built between upper floors that connect stone and timber buildings in the local style.
Start in Place Chastel where each hour you can see an anvil struck by an automated timekeeper called a Jaquemart.
These buildings, many of which have their original interiors still intact, were constructed in the 14th and 15th Centuries and belonged to wealthy merchants who sent paper and cutlery all over Europe.
All this is evidence of the prosperity of Thiers at the time, a prosperity that continued into the 18th century, and even before the war Thiers was still a thriving place.
The Hotel du Pirou, a four storey medieval house in the town centre, is among the most impressive, and you can also see the 15th century wooden carvings on the Maison de l'Homme des Bois.
The Hotel de Pirou contains a history museum with an interesting collection of objects from across Europe including statues, tapestries and carved objects and you can learn more about the local industry in the cutlery museum in Thiers (on the Rue de la Coutellerie) which is very illuminating.
The historic centre of Thiers is now listed as a 'secteur sauvegardé ' to ensure it is protected for the future.
There is much religious history to be explored in Thiers with three main religious buildings:
- the Church of St Genés, originally built in 575 and rebuilt in the 12th Century, is noted for having the largest nave and dome of all the Romanesque churches in the Auvergne
- the church of St-Jean, which overlooks the factories in the Durolle valley, was built in the 15th Century in Gothic style and reflects a time of prosperity
- the Abbey of Saint-Symphorien, built in the 10th and 11th centuries and restored in the 19th Century
Perhaps the most dramatic aspect of Thiers, however, is the ‘Valley of the Factories’ where many of the old factories and workshops still stand on the banks of the Durolle. During the high season you can take a guided tour but out of season you can collect a leaflet from Thiers tourist office and follow one of the itineraries that take you down out of the centre to discover the industrial history of Thiers, a history dominated by the cutlery trade which, in the 19th Century, took over from the tanneries and paper mills.
You can combine this walk with a visit to the contemporary art centre in the Creux de l’enfer (the name given to the most dramatic part of this valley).
Attractions nearby
Most visits to Thiers will be part of a trip around the Livradois-Forez Natural Regional Park and include villages such as Chateldon, a short distance north of here and overlooked by a ruined castle; and Olliergues to the south.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Puy-de-Dome guide and the Auvergne guide.
Photos of Thiers
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Map of Thiers and places nearby
Visit near Thiers with France This Way reviews
Courpiere
Once home to Coco Chanel, Courpiere is a village in the Livradois-Forez natural park
Courpiere guide
Chateldon
The ancient city of Chateldon still retains an important part of its medieval castle and fortifications
Chateldon 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
Vichy
The spa town of Vichy is best known for its bottled water and as centre for the government of unoccupied Fraance during the Second World War
Vichy guide
Riom
The quiet regional town of Riom has several monuments of historical importance to see as you explore
Riom guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Puy-de-Dome
Tourist classifications for Thiers
Thiers is classified as a historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)
Address: Thiers, Auvergne, 63300, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.857, longitude 3.5483
Plan your visit to Thiers, Puy-de-Dome
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Aulteribe Chateau: national monument (10 km)
- Parc du domaine royal de Randan: remarkable garden (23 km)
- Collégiale Saint-Victor et Sainte-Couronne d'Ennezat (Ennezat): religious monument (25 km)
- Vichy: ville fleurie 4* (31 km)
- Abbatial church de Saint Pierre de Mozac (Mozac): religious monument (33 km)
- Riom: town of art and history (34 km)
- Livradois-Forez: regional natural parc (34 km)
- Cathédrale Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Clermont-ferrand): religious monument (34 km)
- Mozac: town of art and history (36 km)
- Marsat: town of art and history (36 km)
- Parc du château de Blanzat: remarkable garden (37 km)
- Clermont-Ferrand église Notre-Dame-du-Port (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (37 km)
Market days in Thiers, France
Regular market(s) are held in Thiers each Thursday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Thiers (Francais)