Collanges lies halfway up the slope descending from the Plateau de Montcelet to the Couze plain. Two circular trails offer different highlights: one leads through Collanges’ old streets and orchards, while the other crosses the plateau towards Montcelet. This allows you to take both the village’s history and the surrounding landscape into account when planning your trip.

Two circular trails, different time requirements

The “Entre béal et pigeonniers” circular trail is a moderately difficult 10.0 km hike, with a stated duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes. It follows the banks of a Couze before climbing through the orchards on the slopes of Collanges. It also passes through the village’s old streets, revealing traces of its medieval past. The route runs alongside the park of the Château de Collanges and points out a domed building within the castle grounds. This trail thus combines landscape and cultural themes in a single loop.

The Saint-Gervazy–Vichel circular hike is 9.5 km long and is listed as taking three hours. It crosses the plateau towards the summit area of Montcelet through a savannah landscape described as astonishing. In Collanges, the route goes as far as the town hall; about 200 m after leaving the village, it then reaches a path. This route therefore offers a different focus from the loop through the old streets and orchards.

In direct comparison, “Entre béal et pigeonniers” is 0.5 km longer than Saint-Gervazy–Vichel, but its stated duration is 15 minutes shorter. If you plan your day around the time available, it is therefore worth considering both figures together rather than looking only at the distance.

The GR® de Pays route “Aux marches du Cézallier – Boucle du Val d’Allier n°4” also passes through Collanges. As route details may be revised, it is advisable to check the current route before setting out.

Landscape and local history

The broader geographical setting is also part of the village’s character: Collanges lies near the north–south corridor of the Val d’Allier. Over time, a Celtic route and two Roman roads followed this corridor. This is a regional historical connection, distinct from the medieval traces visible on the circular trail through Collanges’ old streets.

A specific piece of cultural heritage can be found in the Church of Saint-Eutrope and Saint-Martial: the altar cross dates from the 18th century and is made of repoussé, chased and silver-plated brass. These terms refer to different aspects of its craftsmanship: brass is the material, repoussé work and chasing are techniques, and silver-plating describes the surface treatment. The cross is registered as a protected object under protection order No. 2010-01 dated 10 March 2010. Together with four candlesticks, it forms an altar set; the candlesticks are registered under reference PM63002859. For those interested in culture, this ensemble complements the historical traces along the walking routes with a distinct example of sacred furnishings.

Discover more destinations: Orcet, Saint-Pierre-Colamine, Sauxillanges, Rochefort-Montagne, Vernet-La-Varenne, Saint-Clément-De-Régnat, Brassac-Les-Mines, Murol

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