The milestone column of Bruère-Allichamps, the Prieuré d’Allichamps and Châteaufer each offer a different historical perspective. They range from a Gallo-Roman monument and a stop on the Roman road to a 17th-century château. There is also a visit to the abbey at Noirlac, a circular walking route and an estate with a diverse variety of trees and shrubs. You can therefore organise your discoveries around the focus that interests you most: history, art, architecture, landscape or activity.
Milestone column: from antiquity to the village square
The Gallo-Roman milestone column of Bruère-Allichamps dates from the 3rd century and has been protected as a Monument historique since 26 August 1909. Its recorded history includes several locations and dates: it was found near the church in Allichamps in 1737; in 1799, Béthune-Charost had it moved to the square in Bruère. Many centuries thus separate its creation from its later relocation. The column therefore links ancient origins with a specific local history that can be traced through these dates.
It is also important to distinguish between the findspot and its later location: the discovery near the church in Allichamps and the move to the square in Bruère are two different stages. Together, they tell us more than simply dating the column to the 3rd century. Its protected status belongs to a later period and has been recorded since 1909.
Prieuré d’Allichamps and the history of the Roman road
The Prieuré d’Allichamps is also protected as a Monument historique. It is the last surviving testament to an important stopping point on the Roman road from Avaricum to Néris-les-Bains. While the milestone column is associated with a single ancient monument and its local history, the priory points to the former significance of a stopping point along this road.
For forty years, the Prieuré has been seen not only as an exhibition venue but also as a vibrant space, an artistic meeting place and a site for experimentation. Historical significance and artistic use thus coexist here. If you are interested in culture, this place offers a different focus from the column: not just a protected heritage site, but also an artistic role that has been part of the Prieuré for forty years.
Châteaufer: architectural history and trees and shrubs
Châteaufer was built between 1666 and 1670 for Charles Le Fer on the site of the former parish of Allichamps. It was built many centuries after the milestone column was created, offering a distinct historical perspective on the area. The Châteaufer estate is home to almost one hundred species of oak from around the world, as well as 10,000 trees and shrubs planted as part of an agroforestry system. Here, the focus is not only on architecture, but also on the different trees and shrubs and their arrangement in the landscape.
The Domaine de ChâteauFer offers free outdoor visits with an audio guide. Tours of the château, entitled “Renaissance d’une maison de champs”, are available by reservation only. As dates and reservation conditions may change, it is best to check these details in advance. ChâteauFer also offers vegetable baskets put together online, which can be collected directly from the farm. Farm shop arrangements may change, so check the offer before setting out.
Noirlac: monastic spaces and sound
The Abbaye de Noirlac is a separate nearby destination. Visitors can explore eight areas of monastic life there: the cellars, cloister, abbey church, chapter house, calefactory, refectory, and the monks’ and lay brothers’ dormitories. These spaces make different aspects of monastic life the focus of the visit.
The “résoNance” installation adds an experience of sound and music: since April 2024, it has been available throughout the monument every afternoon. Availability may vary during events or artist residencies. The two aspects of the visit are therefore distinct: the tour takes in eight named spaces, while the installation explores sound and music throughout the monument.
A circular route as an option for getting active
The Circuit de la vallée du Cher is an easy 21.3-kilometre loop that includes Bruère-Allichamps. This adds a specific walking option to the cultural attractions without assuming a particular length of stay or walking time. Before setting out, check the current route, especially if the infrastructure has changed.
These options offer a range of different focuses: the milestone column and the Prieuré provide distinct historical perspectives; Châteaufer combines architectural history with extensive tree and shrub collections and specific visitor experiences; Noirlac focuses on monastic spaces and sound, while the circular route puts exercise first. Which of these themes you choose to prioritise can help guide your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Doulchard, Villegenon, Vailly-sur-Sauldre, Ardenais, Brinon-Sur-Sauldre, Mehun-Sur-Yèvre, Vesdun, Saint-Loup-des-Chaumes.
For the broader travel overview: Cher.
