Ferrières-sur-Sichon: Cave, Glozel and Architectural History

Ferrières-sur-Sichon offers a variety of attractions: nature along the Sichon, archaeological finds and historic buildings. Each place has its own focus, and visiting conditions also differ. When planning your visit, bear in mind the cave’s seasonal closure, the museum’s announced opening dates and the conditions for guided tours at Château de Montgilbert.

The Grotte des Fées on the Sichon

The Grotte des Fées is a cave on the banks of the Sichon. Inside are stalactite and stalagmite formations and small cascades; the accessible cave network is 44 metres long. To protect hibernating bats, the cave is closed from 15 November to 15 March. To get there, drive from the centre of Ferrières-sur-Sichon towards La Guillermie as far as the hamlet of “Forest”, then follow the signs to the cave. The round trip takes about 40 minutes; sturdy footwear and a torch are recommended.

The Maison de la Vallée du Sichon provides tourist information, issues the key to the cave and sells local and regional products as well as handicrafts. Check its opening hours in advance if you wish to use these services.

Glozel and its collection

Glozel is a hamlet in the municipality of Ferrières-sur-Sichon in the Allier department. More than 2,500 objects were discovered there over a period of eight years. The Musée de Glozel opened in 1926 and displays more than 2,500 objects made of fired clay, stone and bone. The collection includes remarkable animal engravings and sculptures, two-sex idols, face urns and tablets.

Individual visitors can visit the Musée de Glozel during special opening dates. Dates are announced on the museum’s website and via its telephone information service; check these notices before planning your visit.

Châteaux and church

Château de Montgilbert was built around 1250 under Louis the Saint by the Saint-Gérand family and is freely accessible all year round. Guided tours are available on request during construction work periods in the spring and summer holidays. Check access information before travelling, especially if you would like a guided tour.

The history of Château de Ferrières can be traced through its successive owners back to the 14th century. François III de la Tour d’Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne, was born there on 25 January 1526. Château de Ferrières is listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments.

Église Saint Désir can be visited daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; check the times in advance. It preserves parts of an earlier church dating from the 12th century: the lower part of the bell tower and a small apse. The historic buildings have different dates of reference: Montgilbert was built around 1250, the succession of owners of Château de Ferrières can be traced back to the 14th century, and architectural elements of the predecessor church survive at Église Saint Désir.

Discover more destinations: Andelaroche, Coulandon, Isle-Et-Bardais, Target, Mesples, Saint-Germain-De-Salles, Beaune-d'Allier, Bressolles.

For the main travel overview: Allier.