La Chapelle-Geneste offers several points of interest for visitors: the furnishings of the Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, a hiking trail that leads through the village to the church, and the nearby Viaduc de Marlanges. There is also an annual pilgrimage in August. Depending on whether you are more interested in sacred art, hiking or a structure, different aspects of the village take centre stage.
Church and Black Madonna
The choir of the Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption has a domed vault and five windows. A domed vault is a dome-shaped form of vaulting. This clear architectural form provides a different point of interest from the church’s furnishings: the carved altarpiece is painted white and gilded, and dates from the 17th or early 18th century.
The Black Madonna sits in a niche in the altarpiece. The figure is made of gilded and polychrome wood. It is attributed to the 18th century; its black finish and gilding were added in the 19th century. Several periods therefore come together in this same work of art: the date attributed to the statue and later changes to its appearance. Since 10 February 1983, the Madonna has been listed as a movable cultural heritage object.
The church’s history may also reach further back: the original church may date from the 12th century. This tentative attribution concerns the origins of the building, while the altarpiece and Madonna each belong to their own art-historical periods. Visitors interested in church art will therefore find not just a single work, but can distinguish different forms, materials and dates.
Hiking trail and pilgrimage date
The PR109 La Senouire hiking trail leads to La Chapelle-Geneste and points the way to the village church. This connects navigating the village with a specifically named hiking trail. For trip planning, this offers a different perspective from the church’s furnishings: the trail focuses on getting around on foot while also leading visitors to a prominent local building.
The pilgrimage to Saint Roch is a fixed date in the annual calendar. It takes place every year on 16 August. Visitors planning a trip around this occasion can take the date into account well in advance; unlike the church’s permanent architectural features, this is an event that returns each year.
The Viaduc de Marlanges
Near La Chapelle-Geneste stands the Viaduc de Marlanges, a curved railway viaduct. Its dimensions give a clear sense of its scale: it is 135 metres long and 16 metres high, with nine arches. Its length, height and sequence of arches describe different features—the viaduct’s span, its vertical dimension and the structure’s design.
A regional connection to a particular period is also documented: a decree dated 25 July 2011 included the entire municipal area in the Parc naturel régional du Livradois-Forez for twelve years from the date of its publication. The decree therefore applied to the whole municipality, and its term was expressly limited.
What to focus on during your visit
For a culture-focused visit, the choir’s domed vault, the altarpiece and the Black Madonna, with their different dates, are the main attractions. Visitors who would rather explore the area on foot can use the PR109 La Senouire for orientation. The viaduct offers a distinct technical highlight, with clearly stated dimensions and nine arches. The annual event on 16 August is another way to plan your visit around a specific date.
Discover more destinations: Les Vastres, Lantriac, Rauret, Chamalières-Sur-Loire, Champclause, Saint-Jeures, Tiranges, Saint-Pal-De-Chalencon.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Loire.
