THE ROUTE OF PAINTED CHURCHES IN THE BOURBONNAIS REGION
Go there and contact
Take an unusual stroll through the Sioule valley to discover some remarkable churches with astonishing paintings.
Discover the painted churches of the Sioule valley. In each building, you'll discover astonishing paintings recalling, of course, the great cycles of holy history, as in Jenzat, or dedicated to a Bourbonnais saint, as in Louchy-Montfand or Broût-Vernet, but also angels, scenes from everyday life or exceptional events. Restoration work has brought them back to life and restored their lustre, as in Bègues and Biozat, while others are better protected from the elements (Taxat-Senat).
Throughout the department, these 25 edifices are signposted with appropriate arrows and a sign bearing the title "Route des églises peintes" (Painted Churches Route). Some are located in other areas: Saint-Pierre church in the hamlet of Châteloy in Hérisson, Notre-Dame church in Huriel in the Tronçais forest, Saint-Eloy church in Meaulne-Vitray and Saint-Martin church in Lurcy-Lévis.
In the Val de Sioule, they are also part of the "Arc-en-Ciel" churches. A panel details their particular features: murals, history, religious art, oral and written traditions. The Association de Sauvegarde des Monuments Peints (Association for the Safeguarding of Painted Monuments) has complemented this heritage discovery with displays in each building, a map of the département, leaflets, audio tour flash-codes and a tour triptych. Individual and group tours by appointment. Evening tours. Poster exhibitions. Lecture series.
