The Oppidum of Corent preserves the remains of an important Gallic city, which was probably the capital of the Arverni. There is also a hike on the Puy de Corent and insights into the village’s winemaking. You can therefore explore Corent with a focus on archaeology or give more attention to the landscape and the village itself.

The Oppidum’s Long History

Settlement here extends beyond the Gallic city: Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements preceded the site, which continued into the Gallo-Roman period. The Oppidum is therefore part of a longer history of human settlement. On the archaeological site, a purpose-built trail illustrates the successive layers of construction over the centuries.

The colour-coded signs distinguish three historical periods: green marks the Bronze Age, red the Gallic Oppidum and grey the Gallo-Roman city. By focusing on the colours and layers of construction, visitors can place the different periods in their historical context. The circuit thus explores not only the important Gallic city, but also the site’s earlier and later history.

A Possible Reconstruction of the Gallic City

The immersive experience “Revivre Corent au temps des Gaulois” combines a guided tour with virtual reality headsets. Visitors can explore the Gallic city as it may have looked more than 2,000 years ago. The purpose-built trail illustrates the layers of construction, complementing the virtual exploration of the Gallic city.

Church, Cross and Former Mill

Other historical landmarks also contribute to the village’s character. The Church of Saint-Joseph dates from the 12th century, was remodelled in the 19th century and has an unusual north–south orientation. South of the village of Corent, the Croix Saint-Verny stands among the vineyards. The former mill with a dovecote tower at Chazeron is also located in Corent. These different buildings and monuments add to the archaeological focus, though they do not share the same period or character.

Hiking on the Puy de Corent

The hike on the Puy de Corent leads to the Oppidum, then to a small canyon hidden by vegetation, and on the descent passes through the wine-growing village of Corent. Here, it follows typical old streets and lanes. This sequence links the archaeological site with a natural feature and the historic village, without reducing these experiences to a single focus.

The route on the Puy de Corent also offers views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy and the Val d’Allier. These views complement the experience of the site and village with vistas across these named landscapes. If you are particularly interested in archaeological history, the Oppidum takes centre stage; for a combination of landscape and village, the hike described here passes through several different settings.

Wine Tastings by Appointment

At Les Vents d’Anges, cellar tours and wine tastings are available by appointment: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays and public holidays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Be sure to arrange your visit in advance. Les Vents d’Anges produces Côtes d’Auvergne AOC Corent Rosé and Côtes d’Auvergne AOC Rouge wines. The wine tasting offers a distinct, clearly defined experience alongside the archaeological site and the hike.

Discover more destinations: Servant, Saint-Flour, Murat-Le-Quaire, Saint-Beauzire, Saint-Sauves-D'auvergne, Le Brugeron, La Tour-D'auvergne, Fournols.

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