The booklet “Le tour de La Tour vaut le détour” offers narrated village walks lasting 30 or 50 minutes. If you have a limited amount of time to get to know the village, you can choose the shorter option; the second route allows more time for the same village walk. Alongside these walks, the Église de Saint-Pardoux, the Notre Dame de Natzy chapel and Lac de La Tour d'Auvergne each represent a different theme: architectural history, religious tradition and landscape.
The history of the village church
The Église de Saint-Pardoux is listed as a Monument historique and is known as the “little cathedral of the fields.” Its architectural features reflect different periods: the Romanesque base, portal and nave date from the 12th century, while the Gothic structure dates from the 13th century. This offers architecture enthusiasts a concrete look at two building phases in a single church. Guided tours are offered during school holidays. Check the dates before your trip if you would like to plan a tour.
The Notre Dame de Natzy chapel
The Notre Dame de Natzy chapel stands on Natzy Hill, north of the village. It was built following a healing considered miraculous, and completed in 1870. Its location, tradition and date provide a distinctive historical perspective, different from the building phases of the Église de Saint-Pardoux. Together, the two sites add two different stories to the cultural character of the area: the development of a church over two centuries, and the creation of a chapel associated with a religious tradition.
Walking route and activities by the lake
Lac de La Tour d'Auvergne is an artificial lake created in 1969 in natural surroundings at an altitude of 940 metres. The Tour du lac de La Tour d'Auvergne walking route runs for just over a kilometre around the lake. Along the way, it offers views of Natzy Hill and its statue, as well as the village, which sits on a promontory. The route therefore takes in two distinct landscape features: the hill with its statue and the village’s elevated setting.
Lifeguarded swimming is available at the lake throughout the summer. You can also fish for trout and carp there. Lifeguard supervision is seasonal, so check the latest information before visiting. Fishing rules and seasons may also change, so it is a good idea to check the current conditions in advance.
Orienteering and the weekly market
An orienteering course starts at the Plan d'Eau. It opened in 2014 and is recognised by the Ligue d'Auvergne. If you would like to use the course, check locally whether a map is available. This makes orienteering a distinct way to explore the terrain, while the lakeside walk is described in terms of its length and named viewpoints.
A food and craft market is held on Place de la mairie on Saturday mornings. Dates are scheduled through 19 December 2026. If you would like to include the market in your stay, you can plan around Saturday morning. Together with guided tours during school holidays and lifeguarded swimming in summer, the market shows how visit plans can be shaped around different time windows, depending on your interests.
For the wider travel guide: Puy-De-DĂ´me.
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