Issoire offers several distinct themes for a stay: the Romanesque Abbey Church of Saint-Austremoine, a former municipal bell tower with a viewpoint, guided insights into cabinetmaking and a walking route to visible canals from the historic irrigation network. There is also the artificial Plan d’eau du Mas. When choosing what to see, it helps to consider buildings, craftsmanship, walks and the lake as separate focal points. This lets you organise your time around your own interests—from architecture and culture to a themed route or a landscape setting.

Romanesque Architecture, a Tower and Craftsmanship

The Abbey Church of Saint-Austremoine is one of the five major Romanesque churches of Basse-Auvergne. This classification places the church in a regional architectural context. It has also been protected as a historic monument since 1840. These describe different aspects: its classification refers to its place among the Romanesque churches of Basse-Auvergne, while the date indicates its protected status as a monument. Both provide different points of reference for exploring Romanesque architecture and the history of historic monuments.

The Tour de l’Horloge is a former municipal bell tower dating from the 15th century. Its viewpoint offers views of Issoire and the surrounding Sancy, Chaîne des Puys and Cézallier massifs. The tower thus brings together a historic function and a viewpoint: it recalls its former municipal role, while the viewpoint looks out over the town and the three named massifs. The tower also hosts changing exhibitions, conferences, film screenings and workshops. If you would like to attend an event, check the specific dates; the cultural programme changes.

The Atelier Philippe Allemand adds cabinetmaking to Issoire’s cultural offerings. The workshop has practised cabinetmaking since 1985 and offers guided tours. These introduce traditional joinery and fine marquetry. The focus and format of the visit are therefore specific: the guided tour presents these two areas of craftsmanship. When comparing cultural interests in Issoire, this craft experience differs from the abbey church’s Romanesque classification and the tower’s former municipal function.

Irrigation and the Waterside Landscape

The Parcours des biefs is a free themed walking route in Issoire that brings the still-visible canals of the historic irrigation network to life. This makes it quite different from the Tour de l’Horloge for planning purposes: the route focuses on walking and irrigation, while the tower hosts changing events, among other things. You can therefore choose between a walk with a historic theme and an event from the cultural programme.

The Plan d’eau du Mas offers a distinct landscape feature. It is an artificial lake in Issoire covering 9.5 hectares. Its stated area gives an indication of its size; its artificial origins also set it apart from the historic irrigation network at the heart of the Parcours des biefs. Issoire thus offers two distinct water-related themes: the lake as an artificial body of water and the visible canals as part of the history of irrigation.

Discover more destinations: Sancy, Chamalières, Orcet, Royat, Laqueuille, Saint-Genès-La-Tourette, Parentignat, Montaigut

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