Auzelles: Hiking, Stained Glass and Village History

If you are looking for a hotel in Auzelles, the local themes can help guide your stay planning: hiking, stained glass, village history and nature offer different options. You can consider whether to include a hiking route, explore traditional crafts, or focus on historical and cultural topics.

Village History and Sacred Art

The Église Saint-Blaise is located in the center of the village of Auzelles. In the 15th century, the church was fortified so it could serve as a refuge during the Hundred Years’ War. Its history thus connects the village’s religious heritage with a specific function during a period of conflict.

A 16th-century fresco in the church depicts the Descent from the Cross. At the Église Saint-Blaise, two distinct periods stand side by side: the fortifications of the 15th century and the artwork from the following century. If you are interested in historic architecture or religious art, these are two specific themes that can shape how you see Auzelles.

Cultural Program and Stained Glass

Auzel'la Culture offers cultural events in Auzelles throughout the year. These include a modernized staging of a classic play, a playful mini-concert of classical music, and an exhibition of artworks by regional artists. The formats range from theater and music to visual art. Individual events and dates vary.

One artisanal specialty is Verre d’Auzelles. Visitors can follow the steps involved in making an object: from drawing the pattern to cutting with a diamond, grinding and then soldering. This sequence illustrates each stage of the process and gives the craft a tangible connection to the material and how it is worked. The workshop uses a method developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany to join glass.

The 2026 program includes introductory stained-glass workshops lasting three or four hours. All materials are provided, and participants take home their own creation. The two time options differ by one hour, offering a specific guide for planning your schedule. Check availability before making plans.

Mining History and Nature

The Cavité d’Auzelles was formed in a former lead and silver mine. Today, it serves as a stopover roost for bats, including the lesser horseshoe bat, a rare or endangered species. This site therefore brings together a former mining use and its current function as a bat roost.

Part of the Auzelles Natura 2000 site includes forests with native tree species, including beech and alluvial forests, as well as a watercourse. These woodland and waterside landscapes offer a different connection to nature than the Cavité d’Auzelles, with its mining history and current importance as a stopover roost. Together, these details offer different perspectives on the area’s nature and history.

Hiking in Auzelles

The Croix de Pradier is an 11.5 km circular hiking route in Auzelles. Its stated length gives you a specific guide if you would like to include a hike in your travel plans. Route details may change, so check the current route before setting out.

When planning your stay, you can easily distinguish between the options: the circular hiking route is described by its length, while the stained-glass workshop is described by its duration. Church art and the cultural program, meanwhile, offer specific topics for those interested in history, theater, music or regional art. Which ones matter to you depends on how you would like to spend your time in Auzelles.

Discover more destinations: Enval, Saint-Genès-La-Tourette, Thuret, Champeix, Saint-Priest-Bramefant, Saint-Gervais-Dʼauvergne, Buxières-Sous-Montaigut, Chapdes-Beaufort.

For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.