Maurs brings together several distinct discoveries: a 12th-century reliquary bust, a permanent exhibition on various movements in 19th-century art, historic presses and a weekly market in the heart of town. Seasonal milling activities and opportunities for walks and mountain biking round out the experience. You can shape your stay around art history, the townscape, food processing or outdoor activities.
Art and Town History
The reliquary bust of Saint-Césaire is a masterpiece of 12th-century goldsmithing. The Tour de Ville offers a different perspective on Maurs: it runs along a boulevard built over the former town ditches, which were filled in in 1774. Here, the town’s history can be read not only in a single work of art, but also in the transformation of its urban landscape.
A permanent exhibition drawn from the Pierre Miquel bequest presents pastels, drawings, oil paintings, watercolours and lavis. It illustrates various styles and major movements in 19th-century art. Unlike the individual medieval reliquary, the focus here is on different media and artistic movements. This offers two distinct ways to explore Maurs’ art history: an outstanding work from the 12th century and a broader presentation of 19th-century art.
Maurs also has a collection of wooden statues and carved choir stalls from the 15th and 16th centuries that is unique in Auvergne. Together, the figures and choir stalls form a distinct art-historical focus alongside the reliquary and the exhibition. Dating from two centuries places the collection in its historical context; the wooden statues and carvings also set it apart from goldsmithing and works on paper and canvas.
Mills, Markets and the Weekly Rhythm
The Écomusée du Truel includes screw and lever presses dating from 1830. They were used to extract walnut oil and make cider. The museum thus brings together different pressing mechanisms and two specific purposes. Visitors interested in food processing and historic technology will find a different way to experience Maurs here than in its art-historical collections.
In July and August, wheat flour is milled on Wednesdays at the Moulin du Fau, and bread is baked in a wood-fired oven. If this seasonal activity is important to your trip, take both the months and the day of the week into account when planning. These details make it a useful, clearly defined time marker for your stay.
The Maurs weekly market takes place on Thursday mornings in the heart of town. Check the dates before your trip, as market hours may change. The market and the milling activity on Wednesdays have different places in the weekly rhythm: the market is on Thursday morning, while the seasonal milling takes place on Wednesdays in July and August.
Activities and Interests
The Domaine de détente du Moulin du Fau has picnic areas. The pond at the Moulin du Fau is open for fishing. The picnic areas offer a specific place to take a break outdoors; fishing provides a different option for travellers interested in the activity.
Maurs also offers walks and mountain biking. This lets you add some activity to your stay without making art history, urban development or milling traditions the focus of your entire itinerary. Choose what interests you most, from artworks and the townscape to walnut and grain processing or outdoor activities.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Mary-le-Plain, Junhac, Valuéjols, Pleaux, Coltines, Cros-De-Ronesque, Gourdièges, Pers
For the regional travel overview: Cantal.
