Montpeyroux

Puy-de-Dôme

Nature & landscapes

The Chaîne des Puys (volcanoes) and the Sancy Massif

Panoramic views

360° view from the top of the keep

Medieval village

Gate and keep

Wine-growing village

Vins AOC Côtes d'Auvergne

A getaway to Montpeyroux: a medieval vantage point overlooking the Auvergne volcanoes

Montpeyroux welcomes you south of Clermont-Ferrand, just a stone's throw from the volcanoes. You enter through the fortified gate, lose yourself in the medieval streets lined with golden-hued stone houses, and look up towards the keep… As you climb to the summit, your gaze sweeps across the Chaîne des Puys, the Massif du Sancy and the Allier Valley. Here, the arkose stone and the vineyards tell the story of a southern way of life, blending medieval heritage, volcanic landscapes and leisurely strolls.

M. Astruc

Tour de Montpeyroux

Explore the 13th-century medieval keep and its exhibitions, before climbing to the top of the 33-metre tower to enjoy a 360° panoramic view of Montpeyroux and the volcanoes of the Auvergne region.

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Les Plus Beaux Villages de France

Circuit pédestre "Sur le chemin de l'Arkose"

Set off on a 9-kilometre walk from Montpeyroux to its old arkose quarries, which have shaped the landscape of the village.

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Word of Mouth

In the wake of the Second World War, with the closure of the arkose quarries and the phylloxera crisis, Montpeyroux suffered massive depopulation and fell into ruin. This is hard to imagine today, as the village now presents visitors with a harmonious silhouette. It owes its ‘rescue’ to a local architect, Joseph PEROL, who fell in love with the village in the 1950s and settled there by buying his first ‘pile of stones’. He drew friends and enthusiasts in his wake, who, little by little, restored the buildings, drawing inspiration from the spirit of the pre-existing winegrowers’ houses.

Your experiences to live in Montpeyroux

Browsing the craft shops

As you wander up the slopes and through the narrow streets, pop into the workshops and craft shops of Montpeyroux. With ceramics, paintings, glazed lava and original creations on offer, it’s the perfect opportunity to take home a local souvenir.

©Les Plus Beaux Villages de France

Follow the visitor routes

Fancy learning about the history of Montpeyroux whilst you’re out for a stroll? Let the guided tour take you through the village, step by step. And for families, “Petrosus”, the apprentice stonemason, will take you on a fun-filled discovery tour for children aged 7 and over (booklets available from the Tourist Office)!

A taste of the local wine-growing region

A wine-growing village since the Middle Ages, Montpeyroux saw its vineyards disappear during the phylloxera crisis. Today, wine-growing is making a comeback on the village’s slopes. Be sure to sample (always in moderation!) the AOC Côtes d’Auvergne wines and savour this rediscovered expertise.

Ideas for everyone, all the time

A visit to the educational farm

Come and meet the farm animals and try your hand at being a little farmer: milking goats, making butter, wool felting workshops, and more. With games, pony rides and a picnic, young and old alike will learn more about farm life whilst having fun!

La Roche Gournier Climbing Site

For a sporting outing with friends, La Roche Gournier is the perfect spot, with its 23 granite routes. Climb, take in the view of the Allier and enjoy a break at the foot of the cliffs, surrounded by nature.

"Around Montpeyroux" walk

An easy and enjoyable walk, this 2-hour circular route takes you around the village, with its narrow streets of pale stone and panoramic views over the Allier Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass Chadieu Castle and the rock-climbing site, offering a chance to get away from it all in the heart of Auvergne.