Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule

Visit Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule, Auvergne

Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule is a small town located in south-central Allier (in the Auvergne region of central France).

Quite a quiet town, there are a couple of places of interest that deserve attention in Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule if you are in the region.

These include an old town, with a 15th century watchtower later converted into a clocktower, and the nearby church of Saint-Croix, also with a belltower and combining both roman and gothic elements in its design, and containing some interesting 15th century decorative elements - it is these two towers that dominate the skyline of Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule, and also act as the symbol of the town.

The Church of Saint-Croix dates in part from the 11th century, although much modified later, and has a statue of saint-Pourcain set in a recess in the facade.

In the centre of the old town you can also stroll through the site of the original abbey buildings and cloisters. Reached via a passageway, although the cloisters themselves no longer exist there are sufficient traces of the original abbey buildings (next to the church) to evoke their history.

The benedictine courtyard also contains the Wine museum in a 15th century church building (the 'Maison du Baillage').

There is a nice view of the town from the 17th century bridge across the river.

A large market is held in St-Pourcain-sur-Sioule on a Saturday morning, just off the broad boulevard 'below' the old town, where cafes etc can also be found.

See Auvergne and Allier (the region and department for Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

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Suggested places to visit near Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Moulins 29km; Chateldon 41km; Riom 48km;

Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Chareil-Cintrat Chateau - national monument (7km) : Parc du domaine royal de Randan - remarkable garden (33km) : Eglise de Saint Georges (Bourbon-l'Archambault) - religious monument (35km) : Eglise de Saint Martin (Ygrande) - religious monument (39km) : Arboretum de Balaine - remarkable garden (43km) : Collégiale Saint-Victor et Sainte-Couronne d'Ennezat (Ennezat) - religious monument (45km) : Abbatial church de Saint Pierre de Mozac (Mozac) - religious monument (46km) : Eglise de Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (Neuilly-en-Donjon) - religious monument (46km) :

See more places and a map at places near Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule