Blesle, in the extreme west of the department, nestled at the bottom of the Allagnon Valley, is classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France in Haute-Loire . A village rich in history, heritage and culture that make it an essential Altiliger stopover. Between visits, festival, crafts and gourmet table... we tell you why Blesle deserves a stop.
1 – Because it can be visited in many different ways
The history of the village begins in the XNUMXth century, when the the Benedictine abbey. Either more than 1000 years of history… With his castle and Mercœur Tower, Its half-timbered houses XVIe - XVIIIe centuries, faithful witnesses of an ancient commercial activity, its old surrounding wall, its Chapel of Our Lady of Chaigne or its XNUMXth century Saint-Pierre churche century, how good it is to discover the rich history of Blesle and its heritage!
Thanks to a virtual visit first
With 11 dots and 39 pellets, she explains the various heritage assets of the village with the help of an adult course and a children's course:
- Saint-Pierre abbey church
- Interior of St. Peter's Church
- Ladies' House
- north enclosure
- Massadou Tower
- Headdress Museum
- Bell tower Saint-Martin
- Historical reconstruction of the Saint-Martin church
- Mercoeur Castle
- Onslow Square
- Chapel of Our Lady of Chaigne
Each course is provided with a map with geolocation. As soon as the visitor approaches a point of interest, he receives an alert and can then access a 360° view of the place. By clicking on each pad/speaker, a Voice off tells the historical anecdotes of the site on which the visitor is. Interventions illustrated with various visuals. The children's course is enhanced by a little game after each point of interest which allows you to unlock the next one.
The app is free to download from Google Play and App Store. A digital tablet is also available at the Blesle Tourist Office, on the church square.
Thanks to visits to the Pays d'art et d'histoire du Haut-Allier
Through his musical tours and other strolls, Country of Art and History of Haut-Allier (PAH du Haut-Allier) also offers to discover this Most Beautiful Villages of France several times a year.
It is Aurore Jarry, tour guide to the PAH, which is most often in charge of these visits. She is unbeatable on Blesle and its history. Do you know, for example, that thehe church of Saint-Pierre hides a treasure ?
The Romanesque church of Blesle dated XIIe and XIIIe centuries, stands out above all for the quality of its carved decoration : A portal features arches et adorned with several flowers widely blooming, or else the rest of polychrome yellow ocher and red in the upper part. In the small neighboring garden, the choir at the height of a man is decorated with sculpted corbels depicting horned animal heads, human heads and other monsters.
Inside the church, the capitals of the apse are very representative of Auvergne Romanesque iconography. A little later this time, murals dating from different periods testify to the multiple influences and artistic exchanges.
The church also houses the Treasure from which some major works stand out: the Virgin of Cheylat (a wooden reliquary statue representing a Virgin in Majesty dated from the XNUMXthe so-called century Our Lady of Cheylat), a Romanesque Christ, a Trinitarian Saint Anne…
The church is open all year round, every day from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m. The Treasury, meanwhile, is visible from inside the church through windows, or open occasionally on request from the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire or the town hall of Blesle.
Thanks to its treasure hunt to discover Blesle while having fun
For young adventurers, a booklet is available at the Blesle Tourist Office to discover the village through a large treasure hunt. Several puzzles are to be solved! Can you find the secret code? Once the treasure hunt solved, a diploma awaits even the little budding investigators at the Tourist Office!
2 – Because it hides the most original of museums!
In the heart of the historic village, in the former XNUMXth century pilgrim hospitale century, hides a most original museum… The Museum of the Headdress and Traditional Costume . A collection of more than 700 authentic pieces of traditional headdresses, hats, ribbons and costumes from the Massif Central. Wedding, mourning, day, night headdresses, or even different social classes that all tell a story. Their story.
You access the museum through a small shaded and flowery courtyard, almost secret... Behind the large door under a volcanic arch, a staircase that goes up to the museum and down to the first floor free of access, various pieces of furniture and tools from the past, but also and above all a amazing model of Blesle in medieval times !
3 – Because this is where La Damoiselle was born
It is here, in Blesle, that one of the first craft beers from Haute-Loire : The Damsel. Blonde, brown, amber, white, special vintages, seasonal or for an event, but also other products such as beer vinegar, jelly or hop liqueur... the brewery of Charlie and Thibaut keeps reinventing itself.
A brewery with a local and responsible approach
“What we love is research and creativity! » with each year its share of novelties. But the Alagnon Brewery, it's more than a collection of drinks… It's also a current of values and thoughts. The brewery has also been labeled since 2011 Nature & Progress.
One of the best-kept beverages in Auvergne...
Because it sources its supplies as locally as possible with raw materials from organic farming, while being attentive to water and waste management. Finally, it is no coincidence that The Damsel rarely cross borders… Charlie and Thibaut voluntarily emphasize the local circuit. La Damoiselle is located in a geographical triangle between Clermont-Ferrand in the Puy-de-Dome, Le Puy-en-Velay in Haute-Loire and Murata in Cantal.
4 – Because his festival has been dancing and singing Blesle for decades
In 2023, the music aperitif festival in Blesle celebrated its 20th anniversary thanks to the hundred volunteers which struggles every year to make this Most Beautiful Villages of France dance. 20 years of music, parties and magic… Of arts and talents too. Because between musical tales, big concerts, stages of young talents, market of craftsmen and producers, shows, balls and other clowneries... the visitor often does not know where to turn!
It's simple, it's an outpouring of joy and good humor in the 4 corners of Blesle! A joyful and good-natured party where all styles meet. Celebrations that take place every year in August in a setting as idyllic as it is historic, because yes, the city is itself a spectacle.
5 – Because a Toque d'Auvergne chef orchestrates at La Bougnate!
Peckish ? Impossible to miss de La Bougnate , the hotel restaurant from Blesle where Dominique dubray and his team make reign charm and greed. Chef Toque d'Auvergne, the latter orchestrates in the kitchen to provide a pleasant culinary experience based on local and seasonal products.
Referenced to Michelin and Gault & Millau guides, La Bougnate revisits regional dishes like the classics and many gourmet desserts in its own way. In summer, a flowery and shaded terrace allows you to enjoy the fresh air and the old stones of this Most Beautiful Village in France.
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