Discover Égliseneuve-près-Billom

Égliseneuve-près-Billom lies at the gateway to the Parc naturel régional du Livradois-Forez. In the village centre, the 11th-century church and the remains of the former priory shape its historic character. There are also hiking trails with different features: a detour to the church, a route into the Madet Valley, and views of named landscape landmarks. If you are looking for a hotel, this combination can help you match the destination’s character to your interests.

Church and former Benedictine priory

The village centre is clustered around an 11th-century church, partly surrounded by the remains of the priory. The church and convent buildings of the former Benedictine priory of Notre-Dame, Saint-Férréol have been preserved. This makes it possible to connect the church in the village centre with the history of the former priory. The date of the church and the historical status of the priory remain clearly distinct.

In 1786, a small chapel open to the outside was added to the priory church, south of the third bay. The third bay is a section of the church, so the location specifies exactly where the addition was made. Two specific dates therefore provide a timeline: the 11th-century church and the chapel dating from 1786. Anyone interested in architectural history can understand the chapel as a later addition to the priory church.

Hiking trails and viewpoints

The Égliseneuve-près-Billom–Saint-Jean-des-Ollières weekend hiking trail passes beneath the fortification walls of Égliseneuve-près-Billom. A short detour leads to the church and a viewpoint overlooking Billom, the Limagne, and the Chaîne des Puys. The route description is dated July 11, 2026; check the trail details before setting out.

A circular trail descends into the Madet Valley and offers views of the Château de Montmorin, the Chaîne des Puys, and the Massif du Sancy. The associated landscape description is also dated July 11, 2026. The descent into the valley and the distant views provide a different focus from the short detour to the church and viewpoint on the weekend hiking trail.

La Roche aux Fées is a moderately difficult hike of 7.7 kilometres, with a stated duration of three hours. Its distance, difficulty level, and duration can help you factor this hike into your plans. Another hike is 8.5 kilometres long, follows the scenic paths of the Madet Valley, and starts at the washhouse in Les Pierrys. Before your trip, check the trail conditions and access for this hike.

On the Butte de Méraille, an orientation table provides a 360-degree view of the châteaux of Ravel, Mauzun, and Montmorin, as well as the Monts Dore, Monts Dôme, Monts du Forez, and Pierre-sur-Haute. The table brings together information about named châteaux and landscape landmarks in a panoramic view. Alongside the views from the hiking trails, this vantage point reveals another aspect of the surrounding landscape.

Features to consider when planning your trip

Different details matter when choosing a hike: La Roche aux Fées has a stated distance, difficulty level, and duration; the weekend hiking trail is notable for its route beneath the fortification walls, its detour, and its views. The 8.5-kilometre hike, meanwhile, specifies a particular starting point. You can weigh up whether your plans call for a duration, a trail with a detour to the church, or a named destination at the start. If you are more interested in local history, the church, priory remains, and chapel also offer specific buildings and dates to use as reference points.

Discover more destinations: Vic-Le-Comte, Charensat, Mareugheol, Chaptuzat, Vollore-Montagne, Saint-Genès-Du-Retz, Cébazat, Ennezat

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