At the eastern foot of the Plateau de Gergovie lies the old village of Pérignat-Lès-Sarliève, separating the plateau from the Sarliève plain. Its history of winemaking is reflected in preserved buildings, while trails to the west connect the commune with the plateau. Other features include a town hall in a former château, a Neo-Gothic church, a château park and a cultural programme. You can therefore choose different focuses for your stay: local history, architecture, green spaces or trails through the landscape.
Winemaking history and buildings
Pérignat-Lès-Sarliève has preserved cellars, characteristic winemakers’ houses and “tonnes de vigne”; they bear witness to past winemaking activity and form part of the heritage to be safeguarded. The “tonnes de vigne” served as shelters for winemakers and places to store their tools. The winemaking heritage thus includes both houses and cellars and traces of winemaking with a direct practical purpose. The Promenade patrimoine passes the old washhouse and leads to nine former winemakers’ houses. It offers a dedicated route that brings several specific traces of past winemaking activity into view.
The town hall is also housed in a historic building: since 1976, it has been located in a former château dating from the 16th century. The building has an octagonal stair tower and projecting turrets. This brings together the château’s former use and its present-day function as a town hall. The current church was built in 1870 in the Neo-Gothic style. It houses five stained-glass windows and two wall frescoes signed by Emile Thibaud. Its construction date, style and features offer visitors interested in culture several specific aspects to explore.
Trails and landscape
For the hike to the Plateau de Gergovie, the 2022 municipal route information gives the park by the Espace Charles Dorier as the starting point; the route is listed as 14.6 kilometres, five hours and 402 metres of elevation gain. The distance, duration and ascent together provide a guide to the scale of this particular hike.
The Balade de vignes is a walk through the vineyards south of Pérignat-Lès-Sarliève and starts at the town hall square. The Randonnée de Prat also starts there and crosses the Natura 2000 site. The different landscapes are a helpful guide when choosing between these two routes: vineyards south of the village on the Balade de vignes, and the Natura 2000 site on the Randonnée de Prat.
To the west, numerous paths and trails connect the commune with the Plateau de Gergovie. They are accessible on foot or by mountain bike and pass through former vineyards and woodland. Alongside the individual routes, the local offering also includes a network of trails through varied landscapes.
Park and cultural programme
The château park has lawns, a small wooded area and a children’s playground; it is also designated a “Refuge LPO”. The park’s features offer a green alternative to the historic buildings and winemaking heritage.
Pérignat Animation offers a cultural programme that includes concerts as part of the “L'Oreille du Monde” festival, apéro concerts, lectures on art history and the “Les dix vins” salon. Alongside concert formats, the cultural programme also includes art history lectures and other named events. If you would like to include culture in your stay, these different formats can help guide your choices.
Discover more destinations: Murat-Le-Quaire, Miremont, Saint-Rémy-De-Chargnat, Sauvessanges, Montel-de-Gelat, Peschadoires, Saint Gal Sur Sioule, Saint-Rémy-Sur-Durolle
For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.
