Fontanges lies at the bottom of a glacial valley, on the right bank of the Aspre. At Fontanges, the river is a tributary of the Maronne. The village is known for houses with typically Auvergnat architecture. Building history, trails through the valley and regional produce offer different ways to plan your trip.
Church, Keep and Rock Chapel
Église Saint-Vincent was built in 1468 and has been protected as a Monument historique since 21 June 1927. Its bell tower is square at the base and octagonal above; the upper section has eight round-arched openings. The church also houses a 17th-century altarpiece dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which includes statues of Saint Luke and Saint Bartholomew. The altarpiece has been listed as a protected historic object since 14 October 1975.
The keep of Château de Palmont tells a different story: Guy de Fontanges built it in 1480 on the ruins of an older castle. The order of 22 December 1970 protects the keep’s façades and roofs as a Monument historique. At Chapelle Saint-Michel, the construction method takes centre stage. The monolithic chapel was carved into a huge rock in 1896 and inaugurated on 29 September 1901. Chapelle Saint-Michel features a Romanesque archivolt bearing the Fontanges coat of arms. The architectural highlights thus range from the church tower and altarpiece to the castle keep and rock chapel.
Hiking and cycling routes in the Aspre Valley
The PR En Val d’Aspre hiking trail crosses the Aspre and passes through woodland and pastureland on its way back to Fontanges. The route can be difficult to follow in one section. The hike through the Vallée de l’Aspre starts at Chapelle Saint-Michel and offers views of the neighbouring Vallée de la Bertrande. The descriptions emphasise different aspects: the PR mentions the river crossing and terrain, while the other hike highlights its starting point and views into the neighbouring valley.
The longer routes also differ in mode of transport and distance. The 143.2-kilometre Romain-Bardet-Expérience cycling loop, “Volcan du Cantal,” passes through the Aspre glacial valley to Fontanges. The 90-kilometre “Des vallées aux montagnes” car and motorcycle route passes through the village. Route conditions and seasonal restrictions may change; check the information before setting out.
Aspre, picnic area and Ferme de Clédart
For a break by the river, Fontanges has a shaded promenade along the Aspre and a public picnic area. Access for trout fishing varies by stretch of river: a section downstream from Fontanges is easy to reach, while access upstream is more difficult, particularly when water levels are high.
Ferme de Clédart offers on-site tastings and sells Cantal, Salers and mountain tomme cheeses, as well as charcuterie made on the farm. The range and sales arrangements may change. Tours of the cheese dairy are available by prior arrangement; before visiting, also check whether it is open seasonally. Depending on your interests, you can add a tasting or a pre-arranged tour to your stay, without turning the trails and architectural history into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Cheylade, Anglards-De-Saint-Flour, Massiac, Saint-Poncy, Cros-De-Ronesque, Auzers, Saignes, Antignac.
For the broader travel overview: Cantal.
