Aubière offers two distinctive perspectives for planning a trip: nature around the Puy d’Aubière and cultural heritage ranging from the Late Neolithic menhir to medieval structures. If you are considering a stay in the area, these different highlights can help guide your plans.

Nature at the Puy and along the Artière

The Puy d’Aubière is designated as a sensitive natural area (ENSil) and offers opportunities for walks and relaxation. At its summit, there is an orientation table and a viewpoint. The dry limestone slopes are home to dry grasslands where orchids grow. Both the landscape and plant life are part of the natural experience at the Puy.

Birdlife is also part of this natural environment: 64 bird species have been recorded at the Puy d’Aubière. Together with the orchids in the dry grasslands, this gives a concrete impression of what makes the natural area distinctive.

Upstream and downstream along the Artière, idyllic landscapes invite you to go for a walk. Another hiking option is the signposted 5.6-kilometre Quartier des caves circular trail. Its circular route, signposting and distance provide a clear framework for planning your walk.

Cultural heritage from different periods

The Menhir des Sauzes is a 2.30-metre-high granite megalithic monument dating from the Late Neolithic and listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage. Its height gives a tangible sense of scale, while its material and dating make it a clearly defined example of Aubière’s early history.

The Porte du Rossignol dates from a later period. Today, it is the last visible remnant of the enclosure of Aubière’s feudal castle. The gate also provided access to the Seigneur’s cellar, which is now used as a museum. Aubière’s church was completely rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style between 1853 and 1855. The Pont de Beneilh offers another architectural connection to the town’s history: the medieval bridge spans the Artière on Rue Saint-Verny.

The cellars are also part of the local cultural heritage. Some are still used to store wine or mature cheese. The Maison du Phylloxéra is located at the corner of Rue du Chambon and Grand Corridor in Aubière, adding another clearly identified place to the townscape.

Choose a focus for your stay

If you are looking for a hotel in Aubière, start by considering what you are most interested in during your stay. For walks and nature, the Puy d’Aubière, the landscapes along the Artière and the signposted circular trail offer different points of interest. If you are more interested in cultural history, the menhir, the Porte du Rossignol, the church and the Pont de Beneilh offer a selection spanning different periods. These themes give you a concrete basis for deciding whether Aubière fits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Chapdes-Beaufort, Picherande, Saulzet-le-Froid, Saurier, Pontaumur, Saint-Beauzire, Chaumont-Le-Bourg, Mareugheol.

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