Lavoûte-Chilhac, Commune in Haute-Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Lavoûte-Chilhac is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in the Auvergne region, set inside a bend of the Allier river within the gorges of the same name. The village is split into two distinct parts linked by an old stone bridge, with houses built directly into the rock face and the remains of a former priory.
The priory of Sainte-Croix de La Volte was founded in 1025 by Odilon de Mercoeur, an abbot of Cluny, making the village a religious center for several centuries. The church was rebuilt in the 15th century in the Gothic style and still stands in the heart of the village today.
Narrow passages called traboules connect old buildings throughout the village, allowing visitors to walk through spaces that once served as shortcuts in daily life. These hidden corridors give a direct sense of how the village was used and organized over the centuries.
A tourist office on the Place des Anciens Moulins is available to visitors and can point out walking routes and local highlights. The village is easy to explore on foot, and most points of interest are within a short walk of the center.
Inside the village church, a statue of the Virgin Mary stands only about 1.5 centimeters tall and is kept in a silver reliquary. According to local tradition, it was found as a pebble by two children, and a pilgrimage has been held every year on the first Sunday of July in its memory.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
