Saint-Privat-d'Allier
The French town of Saint -Privat- d'Allier is located in the Haute- Loire in the Auvergne region. The village with 396 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
Saint -Privat- d'Allier is located in the Massif Central in the gorge of the river Allier. The gorge bordered here the landscape of Velay in the west of the plateau margin Ride in the east. The village is situated on a rocky promontory above the Allier valley. The next major French cities are Lyon ( 125 km) to the northeast, Toulouse ( 235 km) to the southwest, Bordeaux ( 337 km ) to the west and Montpellier ( 154 km) to the south.
Transport links
Saint -Privat- d'Allier is connected by the D589, which leads east across Bains with the administrative capital of Le Puy -en -Velay.
History
A castle from the 13th century was built by the noble family of Mercœur Montlaur. In the 17th century, however, large parts of the castle were destroyed.
The village developed mainly by its position on the Via Podiensis. Today it is an important base for white water sports on the river Allier.
Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )
In Saint -Privat- d'Allier there is next to a tourist information, hotel and restaurant, as well as several pilgrims' hostels (French gîte d' étape ). The nearest major town on the Camino de Santiago is Monistrol- d'Allier. Running there as a direct road link the D589.
Attractions
- There is a Romanesque church, and an old abbey, which was founded by the monks of the Benedictine monastery of La Chaise- Dieu in the 11th century.
- Scenic remarkable are the rising from the Allier volcanic cliffs that have formed as basalt columns.
- Especially tourist attention will probably produce the metal sculpture of the Beast from Gévaudan.