Chalmazel

Chalmazel is a commune with 407 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Loire department in the Rhône -Alpes.

Geography

Chalmazel is located in the canton of Saint -Georges -en- Couzan in the Arrondissement Montbrison, approximately 60 km east of Clermont -Ferrand. The village lies on the eastern edge of the Regional Park Livradois -Forez ( frz: Parc naturel régional du Livradois -Forez ) in the valley of the Lignon. Chalmazel lies at the foot of the mountain chain Monts du Forez and the highest mountain Pierre sur Haute.

History

The first written record comes from the year 1214. 1231 allowed the Count of Forez Guy IV the Arnaud de Marcilly the construction of a fortress on the territory of Chalmazel. Around 1270 a church was built, which was demolished in 1881 and replaced by a new building. After the death of the last Margrave of Marcilly the castle fell to the monastery of Saint -Joseph, which until 1972 operated a hospital in the castle.

Attractions

• Chalmazel castle, castle dating from the 13th and 14th centuries
• Chalmazel ski on the slopes of Pierre- sur -Haute