This town full of character, built around the river Alagnon, has admirably adapted to the constraints and demands of the river. In return, the commune has benefited in many ways. Today, the Alagnon is a delight for hikers and anglers, but at one time it was a source of wealth with the construction of mills.
The Alagnon is the focal point of this commune. The river runs right through the village and has shaped its urban layout. Bridges were built, houses were built on high ground, etc. The inhabitants had to adapt to cope with the floods caused by this young but capricious river. As for the anglers, they’re not complaining - they’re even lucky enough to have a no-kill course nearby. Grayling and trout in the mix.
Alagnon Valley
Owing to the presence of the river Alagnon, mills have been built here. These include the mill at Laborie and the more well-known mill at Gaspard. The latter was particularly well-stocked thanks to its proximity to the Saint-Flour planèze and its farmland. In recent years, the mill has been given a new lease of life as a café and open-air restaurant.
Gaspard hamlet and mill
The Alagnon valley was home to many fortresses. The aim of this network was to defend the valley by preventing enemies from arriving by surprise. While some fortresses have disappeared, such as the Château de Fourose, others can still be seen today. This is the case for the Château du Jarrousset, a private residence that is a listed building (inventaire supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques) since 1992.
Château of Le Jarousset
Close to Murat and its shops, La Chapelle-d’Alagnon is a haven of greenery offering all the advantages of the countryside: peace and tranquillity, nature close at hand and the occasional herd of cows passing by. A wide range of accommodation is available in this commune to help you enjoy a truly rejuvenating holiday!
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