Among the things to discover in Gerzat are the church, with its early Romanesque architecture; the history of the Tour de l’Horloge and the Porte de la Barrière gate; the tree species in Parc de la Treille; and music and theatre events. If you are considering Gerzat as a destination for a stay, these highlights can help you decide which discoveries matter for your trip. Architectural history and nature are features of the town, alongside a cultural programme whose specific dates you should check before travelling.

Church and Tour de l’Horloge

The church in Gerzat was built around 800 and its architecture reflects the beginnings of Romanesque art. It has three vaulted apses and no transept. An apse is a vaulted space at the end of a building; a transept runs across the nave and extends the floor plan to the sides. The reference to the beginnings of Romanesque art provides the historical context.

Another trace of the past is the Tour de l’Horloge: since 1613, it has housed the Porte de la Barrière gate. A spiral staircase leads to the tower’s three levels. The tower also bears the Latin inscription “Veillez et priez car vous ne savez ni le jour, ni l’heure”. The dates around 800 and since 1613 refer to different things: the church’s construction period, on the one hand, and the gate’s location in the tower, on the other.

Music and theatre

At La Vague, the concert programme is dedicated to discovering emerging music groups from Auvergne and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The format includes a monthly public broadcast: two groups perform their own repertoires, with no cover versions. The broadcast is recorded and aired by Radio Arverne. This offers a distinct cultural highlight for travellers who would like to include regional music events in their plans. As the programme may change, check the latest dates before travelling.

The Théâtre municipal Cornillon is also part of the cultural offering: the city’s cultural department schedules cultural events there. You can get the programme brochure for the Théâtre Cornillon at the town hall or download it. Check the latest edition before travelling to match event dates with your travel dates.

Parc de la Treille and getting there

Parc de la Treille covers 12,300 square metres and has an educational trail where visitors can identify numerous tree species. The figure of 12,300 square metres gives a sense of the park’s size; the trail also makes tree species its specific focus. This gives the park a different emphasis from the church and tower: here the focus is on plants, while there it is on architectural history.

You can reach Parc de la Treille via the Jaloustre stop on bus route 20. Check the latest timetable before setting off, as transport details may change.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Floret, Bertignat, Orcival, Singles, Saint Gal Sur Sioule, Saint-Nectaire, Châtel-Guyon, Ennezat

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