Massiac: Chapels, Art and Pilgrimage Routes

Massiac brings together sacred art, historic buildings, former terraced farmland and seasonal events. These themes offer different ways to shape a stay: you can focus on architecture and Marian figures, explore the history of the Palhàs, or take a pilgrimage date or summer market into account. If you’re looking for hotels in Massiac, you can plan your travel dates around the themes that interest you.

Churches, Marian Art and Museum

The Église Saint-André in Massiac houses an articulated Marian figure from the 14th century; there are about thirty examples of this type worldwide. It also displays a Madonna in Majesty from the 15th century. The two representations combine different forms with different centuries.

The Chapelle Sainte Madeleine adds another historic landmark. The Romanesque chapel dates from the 12th century and once belonged to a castle complex that has since disappeared. It overlooks Massiac; from its viewpoint, you can see across the town and the Allagnon Valley. The chapel is open daily year-round, with free admission. Check access before your trip. Every year around July 22, the feast day of Saint Madeleine, a pilgrimage takes place here; the date may vary slightly from year to year.

The Musée d’art Elise Rieuf displays works by seven 20th-century women painters. It is housed in the former stables of a château, which is why it has a vaulted ceiling. Elise Rieuf travelled through Europe in search of images, spent three years in China, and came to recover in the landscapes of her native Auvergne. The works on display and the building’s former use therefore belong to different historical contexts.

Palhàs and the Via Arverna

The Palhàs reveal how the slopes were once used. The terraced land on the hillsides of Massiac was once used to grow grapevines, fruit trees and aromatic plants. The Palhàs were restored from 2000 to 2004 and can be explored via an interpretation trail. The trail connects the terraced landscape with the history of its former cultivation.

The Via Arverna appeals to travellers interested in the Way of St James: it is an alternative route on the main way to Santiago de Compostela. Its section in the Cantal begins in Massiac and leads to Laroquebrou in seven stages. Unlike the annual pilgrimage to the Chapelle Sainte Madeleine, the Via Arverna refers to a route with a starting point, destination and number of stages.

Summer Markets, Local Produce and Fishing

In summer, markets are held every Saturday evening in Massiac; they are also known as Samed’ici. As this is a seasonal offering, check the local market dates for your trip. La Coquille de Massiac offers tastings of products from its own production. The snail farm raises 200,000 snails, covering everything from egg-laying to preparation.

For anglers, the Alagnon near Massiac offers clear water with trout and grayling. Together with the cultural sites and seasonal events, these give you a choice of different themes around which to plan your stay.

Discover more destinations: Coltines, Riom-Ès-Montagne, Loubaresse, Landeyrat, Ruynes-en-Margeride, Vèze, Chaudes-Aigues, Le Falgoux.

Return to the main travel overview: Cantal.