The charming village of Saint-Poncy, within easy reach of the A75 motorway, is well worth a visit. This is a land where the elements meet, where water and wind have shaped the landscape and stone has been used to build places of worship that are still visible today.
Situated between 800 and 1,000 metres above sea level, Saint-Poncy features a landscape shaped by the course of the Alagnonette river. Windmills stand proud in this valley. The Auberge de l’Allagnonette is a popular attraction in this charming village. This Logis hotel-restaurant, housed in a former holiday camp for young girls run by nuns, welcomes you all year round. There’s no doubt that the people of Saint-Poncy will be delighted to welcome you!
Village of Saint-Poncy
There are still some fine traces of the village’s lordly and religious history. The listed Romanesque church, which is dedicated to Saint Pontien, pope and martyr in the 2nd century, is of very great age. Its square bell tower is imposing, and charming with its exposed stonework. The same can be said for the buttresses and the choir.
Rochefort de Saint-Poncy is a hamlet located not far from the village. Affiliated to the Order of Cluny, it was founded in 1001 and endured until the French Revolution. Although the buildings were looted, the esplanade and a few ruins are still visible (private area). The Prior of Rochefort was influential in the region, and had his own dedicated gateway into the town of Massiac.
The Church of Saint-Poncy
There are three surviving windmills in the commune: the windmill in Saint-Poncy was built in 1817. The roof and blades have been restored with oak and exotic wood, but there is no mechanism inside. There is a clearly visible crack between the stones: the mill was struck by lightning a few years ago. The area around Massiac is dotted with a number of bridges dating back to Gallo-Roman times. The bridge at Boucharat or Catzara is undoubtedly the most attractive! And it is a striking example of the construction techniques of the time: it forms a perfect arc.
Windmill of Saint-Poncy
The Rencontres Sahariennes (Saharan gatherings) are organised by a passionate researcher to highlight the treasures of the Sahara in their village. This event attracted a number of personalities to present their experiences, research, photographs and works of art... Théodore Monod and Raymond Depardon made a stopover... These events do not take place every year: please enquire!
Saint-Poncy windmill
Originally from Vèze, he taught at Chausse de Saint-Poncy, and made a lasting impression on many of his pupils at the time. As well as being a teacher, he was also a very active archaeologist in the Cantal and Haute-Loire regions. He discovered and wrote about a number of Gallo-Roman sites in the commune. Alphonse Vinatié (1924-2005).
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