Monistrol-d'Allier
The French community Monistrol- d'Allier located in the Haute- Loire in the Auvergne region. The village with 219 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located on the GR 65, which largely follows the historical course of the French Road to Santiago Via Podiensis.
Geography and transport
Monistrol- d'Allier is located in the Massif Central on the banks of the Allier, at the confluence of the left tributary Ance. The gorge of the Allier borders here from the volcanic landscape of the Velay in the west of the plateau margin Ride in the east. The next major French cities are Lyon ( 128 km) to the northeast, Toulouse ( 232 km) to the southwest, Bordeaux (334 miles) to the west and Montpellier ( 152 km) to the south. By car to get from Le Puy -en -Velay coming, on the D589, in a westerly direction over Bains, here. In addition, is a station of the Cevennenbahn, which as part of the remote connection Paris - linking the Mediterranean, the cities Clermont-Ferrand and Nîmes over 330 kilometers.
Attractions
- The Romanesque church of the village is a foundation of the abbey of La Chaise- Dieu. At the head of the church there is a crucifix from the 16th century with the image of St. James or a pilgrim on the go with the pilgrim's staff to Santiago de Compostela.
- Not far from Monistrol- d'Allier, direction Saint -Privat- d'Allier, the place Rochegude lies at an altitude of 967 meters. Here is the chapel of Saint Jacques. It belonged to a castle, of which only a tower, the various wars and revolutions has survived. The first mention of the castle dates back to the year 1326. It marks the boundary between Velay and margin Ride or the Gévaudan. From here there is a view into the gorge of the Allier and the margin Ride opposite.
- The hamlet is located on the ascent to Escluzels Magaride direction Saugues. There is the chapel of La Madeleine, which was first mentioned in 1312 and is dedicated to Mary Magdalene. It is built into a cave, which probably already served the Celts as a shelter.
Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )
Here begins the ascent to the plateau margin Ride. The town has several pilgrim hostels and hotels and a campsite. There is also a rail connection. The nearest major town on the Camino de Santiago is Saugues. Running there as a direct road link the D589.