A pane of glass deliberately pierced in the middle to let white light through: this detail tells the story of the distinctive architecture of Sainte-Chapelle. It offers a tangible introduction to Vic-Le-Comte’s cultural heritage, which, on a tour of the historic centre, connects with the town’s history and the era of the Counts of Auvergne and the Renaissance.

Sainte-Chapelle and the History of Wine-Growing

The former Sainte-Chapelle dates from the 16th century and was founded by Jean Stuart and Anne de la Tour. Today, it is incorporated into Église Saint-Pierre. Its historic stained-glass windows depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The Retable des Vertus is also in the former chapel; in 1840, it was classified as an immovable cultural asset. The windows, altarpiece and the chapel’s present-day incorporation into the church offer various starting points for exploring architectural and art history.

Another aspect of local history awaits in Le Chai, in the historic centre. The former 18th-century building was once used for the entire winemaking process; its features include exposed vaults. This means that two different themes sit side by side on a cultural heritage tour: sacred architecture, with its windows and altarpiece, and winemaking in a historic building.

A seasonal tasting of local products at Le Chai is part of the cultural heritage visit. You can plan it as an addition to the historical focus, but check the current programme before your visit.

Enval: Archaeological Site and Cliff

The Enval archaeological site lies on a plateau within the territory of Vic-Le-Comte. From there, you can see the Puy de Sancy in the distance. Discovered in 1929, the site is known as an exceptional Magdalenian site. The seasonal experience “Enval, une falaise habitée” follows in the footsteps of the Magdalenian period and leads to a cliff shaped by human activity since prehistoric times. Enval thus offers a different focus from a tour of the historic centre: archaeology, the long history of human influence on the cliff and views into the distance take centre stage.

By the Water: Activities and Routes of Different Lengths

Plan d'eau des Orleaux is used for fishing, walking, cycling and horse riding. It therefore offers several ways to spend time outdoors. If you’re looking for a designated walking route, “Le bassin de Vic-le-Comte” is a 10-kilometre loop. It takes about three hours, is rated moderate and is marked in yellow. The distance, approximate duration and difficulty level help distinguish this walking option from the other activities.

At Longues beach, Club Nautique offers seasonal introductions to paddleboarding and kayaking. Three canoeing routes are designated: Chadieu–Longues at 5 kilometres, Coudes–Longues at 9 kilometres and Orbeil–Longues at 18 kilometres. The distances therefore range from 5 to 18 kilometres; the stated start and end points are part of each route description. Watersports, canoe trips, the tasting and the experience at Enval are seasonal. Check the current programme before your visit.

Cultural Heritage Routes and Choosing Where to Stay

To help visitors find their way on cultural heritage tours, the municipality provides two maps. In addition, 21 selected sights in the municipality have interpretive panels. Vic-Le-Comte’s cultural heritage encompasses architecture and local history, as well as the archaeological significance of Enval. For a different kind of outing, there are designated waterside activities and the walking loop.

When choosing a hotel in Vic-Le-Comte, you could first consider what you would like to focus on during your stay: Sainte-Chapelle and its artworks, the former winemaking activities at Le Chai, the Enval archaeological site or activities by the water. The options described suit different interests and can be compared by their themes and route distances.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Flour, Saint-Rémy-De-Chargnat, Saint-Pierre-Colamine, Pontaumur, Singles, Châteauneuf-Les-Bains, Olliergues, Usson

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