Vaumas can be explored through two strands of history: the Église Saint-Martin, with its unusually proportioned bell, and the Besbre, which flows through the town from south to north. Mills, the Château de Prairéal and the Sainte-Anne patronal festival add to this picture. For planning your trip, the focus is on local history and architectural heritage; the river and mills offer a second, landscape-focused perspective.
Église Saint-Martin: Building History and Bell
A first church in Vaumas is mentioned as early as the 12th century. The present-day Église Saint-Martin developed between the 14th and 16th centuries. The church is dedicated to Saint Martin; the dedication recalls his journey along this road during his evangelisation of the Morvan. Built with limestone from Chavroches, red sandstone from Liernolles and granite from Vaumas, it brings together three named types of stone. Alongside its development over time, the choice of materials offers another tangible aspect of the church.
The bell gable is divided into four openings and flanked by a cylindrical tower. The church bell is unusually proportioned: its height is twice its diameter. It dates from the 13th century and bears two inscriptions. One is raised and executed in uncial script; the other was engraved with a burin in the 15th century. The bell’s date and the date of one of its inscriptions therefore belong to different historical periods. There are also three notable statues from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The bell, inscriptions and statues make the church’s different historical periods a subject in their own right, alongside its architecture.
The Besbre and Mill History
The Besbre flows through Vaumas from south to north. It is a landmark in the landscape and is also connected with the history of milling: the Moulin de la Forge is one of two mills built on the Besbre in Vaumas. The river and the town’s history can thus be considered together without conflating their distinct aspects. The Moulin de Vaumas is also among the sights visitors can discover. The Moulin de Vaumas and its water-feeding dam are still in operation. Check their operating status before visiting.
The Château de Prairéal dates from the 15th century and adds another building to the historical focus. A seasonal event is the Sainte-Anne patronal festival: it has been held in Vaumas since 1947 and is currently organised by the Comité des fêtes de Vaumas. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific dates and the organiser’s latest information in advance. The château and the church are historical attractions; for the patronal festival, whether it fits your travel plans depends on the specific date.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Hilaire, Monestier, Le Mayet-De-Montagne, Gannat, Prémilhat, Lignerolles, Saint-Pourçain-Sur-Sioule, Chassenard
For the regional travel overview: Allier.
