Égliseneuve-d'Entraigues offers a distinctive cultural stop and a wide variety of natural attractions: its Romanesque church preserves colorful decoration and protected works of art, while lakes, peatlands and waterfalls offer more to explore. There are several ways to plan your day—from a short signposted walk to hiking routes and mountain biking trails. An discovery walk through the village also brings together several local themes.
Romanesque Church and Protected Art
The Church of Saint-Austremoine is a 12th-century Romanesque church in the Auvergnat style. Its polychrome decoration and carved capitals give the building distinctive architectural features. Three objects are protected as historic monuments: an 18th-century reredos, a 15th-century wooden statue depicting the first bishop of the Arverni, and a 16th-century stone Pietà. Their different materials, motifs and dates make the church’s furnishings a particular highlight for those interested in culture. The church is open daily year-round from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lakes and Waterfalls
At Lac d’Entraigues, the shoreline is also part of the nature experience: the lake covers about 8,000 square meters and is lined with beech and birch trees; parts of the shore are marshy. There are plenty of picnic tables and a parking lot for walkers. A signposted trail leads from the lake to the Cascade du Bois de Chaux. The round trip takes 20 minutes and is suitable for strollers. At the waterfall, the water cascades over several tiers of ancient basalt lava; the valley is lined with beech trees.
The Cascade d’Entraigues is 18 meters high and lies in a narrow valley surrounded by lush ferns and beech trees. The Lac de Chambedaze offers a different landscape: it is a peat lake whose surface area has shrunk to about 5 to 6 hectares as a result of almost 5,000 years of peat formation. To reach a viewpoint overlooking Lac de la Landie, take the 600-meter footpath from the hamlet.
Hiking Trails and Mountain Biking
The GR® 4 starts in Égliseneuve-d'Entraigues, in the Puy-de-Dôme department. The Le Tour des Vaches Rouges loop trail also starts in the village. It crosses a plateau more than 1,000 meters high, with pastures, lakes, peat bogs and Salers cattle. The two routes offer different ways to explore the area: one is a named long-distance trail, while the other is a loop with a clearly described landscape.
Mountain bikers can choose nature- and scenery-focused routes as well as more challenging trails in the Égliseneuve-d'Entraigues sector of the Espace Sancy VTT-FFC. They are located on the northern edge of the Cézallier Plateau. Hiking and cycling offer different perspectives on the area: the loop trail features pastures and peat bogs, while the mountain biking sector also includes more demanding routes.
Market and Discovery Walk
The Marché d’Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues offers regional products, crafts, clothing, souvenirs and fresh produce. There is also a flower market in spring. The market combines shopping and regional produce with discoveries of local crafts and seasonal goods.
Sancy Tour No. 18, “De vachàs, de mounde, de fromajou,” is a discovery walk through Égliseneuve-d'Entraigues. It presents the village as the birthplace of Saint-Nectaire cheese and covers waterfalls, the church, historic remains and facts about the cheese. The walk is therefore a good choice for anyone who wants to learn about the village and its cheese in a single outing.
Discover more destinations: Mirefleurs, Espinasse, Ennezat, Olloix, Saint-Saturnin, Sauxillanges, Giat, Usson.
For the overview of the wider region: Puy-De-Dôme.
