Neuf-Église: Trails, Arboretum and Heritage

For a stay in Neuf-Église, nature and heritage can be considered as two distinct focal points. Choosing between a walk, a hiking route and church history can help shape your plans, without implying that all the options are the same kind of outing.

Arboretum and Nature Trails

The Arboretum du Bois des Brosses lies on the border between Menat and Neuf-Église. It offers short walks and longer stays for relaxation. A remarkable upright stone is surrounded by 27 native and exotic tree species. The arboretum was completely redesigned and renovated in 2023. This makes it a distinct nature-focused destination for a stay: orientation here depends not only on the length of a route, but also on the distinctive stone and the tree collection.

On the hike along the Ruisseau de Bort, the forest path leads to a stream and then to a pond. It starts near the Neuf-Église war memorial; parking is available near the town hall. Check local parking options again before setting out. As weather can affect trail conditions, you should also take the conditions on your planned hiking day into account.

Another option is the 9 km circular hike, “Walk around Neuf l’église via Chamoissoux and the Bray stream.” It starts in Neuf-Église and passes through woodland and along a stream, with viewpoints along the way. The 9 km distance and circular route provide two useful points of comparison when considering this hike alongside the longer stages of the Boucle du Pays de Menat.

Distinguishing Routes and Stages

The fourth stage of the Boucle du Pays de Menat connects Blot-l’Église with the hamlet of Les Fougeroux in the commune of Neuf-Église and is 24.5 km long. The fifth connects Les Fougeroux with Neuf-Église and covers 14.5 km to the village of Le Peyroux in Teilhet. Les Fougeroux is the shared transition point between the two stages: it lies at the end of the fourth and the starting point of the fifth. In terms of distance, the fourth stage is ten kilometres longer than the fifth; both are longer than the 9 km circular hike. This makes it possible to compare the routes by their length and format: as a circular hike or as consecutive stages.

Saint-André Parish Church and Heritage

The Saint-André Parish Church is part of the cultural heritage of Neuf-Église. Its main construction phases date from the 12th and 19th centuries. One distinctive heritage feature is the canopy for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. It is adorned with a Crucifixion scene: the grieving Virgin Mary kneels while Saint Mary Magdalene embraces the foot of the cross. The building’s history and the image offer two different ways to explore the church’s heritage. For planning purposes, this is a different focus from the hikes, where route details and kilometres take centre stage.

Discover more destinations: Peschadoires, Landogne, Saurier, Le Vernet-Sainte-Marguerite, Trémouille-Saint-Loup, La Chapelle-Agnon, Picherande, Pionsat.

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