The Arboretum du Bois des Brosses lies on the border between Menat and Neuf-Église. Walks and the parish church of Saint-André add exercise and cultural heritage to your nature outing. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on a stroll, a hiking route with a specific distance, or the church’s architectural and artistic history.

Arboretum and Relaxation in Nature

The arboretum offers short walks and longer stays for relaxation around a remarkable upright stone. Twenty-seven native and exotic tree species stand around it. This combines a clearly identified place to relax with a diverse planting of trees: you can plan a short walk or set aside more time for a longer stay. The arboretum was completely redesigned and renovated in 2023.

Hiking: Loop or Stage?

The hike along the Ruisseau de Bort begins near the war memorial in Neuf-Église. Parking is available near the town hall; check the parking situation on site again before setting off. The route follows a forest track to a stream and then to a pond. This sequence gives the tour its specific course. As the weather can affect trail conditions, take the conditions into account when planning.

Another option is the 9 km circular hike “Walk around Neuf l’église via Chamoissoux and the Ruisseau de Bray.” It leads from Neuf-Église through the forest and past a stream, with viewpoints along the way. Those considering a stage of the Boucle du Pays de Menat will find longer distances: the fourth stage connects Blot-l’Église with the hamlet of Les Fougeroux in the commune of Neuf-Église and is 24.5 km long. The fifth stage connects Les Fougeroux with Neuf-Église and covers 14.5 km to the village of Le Peyroux in Teilhet.

In terms of distance, the 9 km loop is shorter than both stages; the stages differ by 10 km. The formats also differ: you can choose between a circular hike and two numbered stages. You can therefore make your choice first by deciding between a loop and a stage, and then by comparing the stated distances.

Parish Church of Saint-André and Cultural Heritage

The parish church of Saint-André in Neuf-Église has major construction phases dating from the 12th and 19th centuries. Its architectural history thus spans two centuries far apart. The cultural heritage also includes a veil for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, decorated with a crucifixion scene. In it, the grieving Virgin Mary kneels while Saint Mary Magdalene embraces the foot of the cross. The construction phases and the image motif offer two different historical perspectives: one through the church’s long architectural history, the other through the figures depicted and their posture.

Choose the Focus of Your Stay

The route details make it possible to compare their formats and distances; for the Ruisseau de Bort, the described course and weather-dependent conditions are also relevant.

Discover more destinations: Aigueperse, Singles, Châteaugay, Pontaumur, Saint-Étienne-Sur-Usson, Saint-Cirgues-Sur-Couze, Messeix, Dallet

Back to the main travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.