Strengthened by its religious imprint, each territory of Haute-Loire proudly erects its abbeys, churches and chapels. These often stand in uncrowded sites where they find themselves in direct contact with nature.
From the little chapel Our Lady of Estours perched in the heart of the Seuge gorges, at that of Saint-Julien-des-Chazes on the banks of the Allier, passing by the chapel of Rochegude in Montbonnet on the Way of Santiago de Compostela, all styles, all sizes, all influences are present in these constructed buildings. The most surprising is undoubtedly the Chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe nestled on a volcanic dyke where the 268 access steps transport you to an intimate atmosphere…
Romanesque art nurtures multiple influences
En Haute-Loire as in the rest of Auvergne, Romanesque art exerts a strong influence in the largest churches as well as in the smallest chapels. Of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Le Puy-en-Velay and its skilful mixtures of Romanesque art and Byzantine influences, passing through the majestic Basilica of Saint-Julien in Brioude, Romanesque art is everywhere!
