Located in the department of Allier, the charming town of Commentry unveils west of Bourbonnais lands. At the heart of Montlucon basin, it reveals its heritage and landscapes to visitors passing through the area.
Known for hosting the conference that gave birth to the Socialist Party of France in 1902, the town of Commentry is now an important economic center of the region Montlucon. Very touristy, the city also has many monuments to discover during a stay in Allier.
True temple of culture and arts, Commentry reveals indeed visitors sculptures and frescoes of all kinds reflecting a taste for aesthetics. Different routes possible to appreciate these works installed around the city.
Well positioned, between Auvergne and Bourbonnais, in the department of Allier, near major highways, the city of Commentry experiencing significant attendance due to its economic dynamism and his social life, cultural and sporting rich.
At the heart of the city, the Sacred Heart Church, the first church in the world to have been devoted to the Sacred Heart, was built in the nineteenth century in a neoclassical style, which is unique in Allier. Composed of a central nave, it is topped by a bell tower and is built on the model of the great Roman churches. It reveals in its interior a remarkable statue of Isaiah and a Merklin organ of great beauty. In the choir, two beautiful stained glass windows are, for one, the consecration of the church and the other, a gift from the city of Commentry to church. For a long time, appear on the facade of the church of the Sacred Heart the motto of the French Republic: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity", a sign of significant secularization of Catholic worship in Commentry.
The old village of Commentry, the Saint-Front church dates for its twelfth century. It was the first church in the city, but now too small, it was replaced by the Sacred Heart church for religious services.
At the heart of the city, a covered hall of the nineteenth century, has a beautiful Art Deco architecture. It hosts every Friday morning, the market town.
Built in the late nineteenth century, the town hall of Commentry home, in the council chamber, several frescoes by Marc Saint-Saëns, grand-son of the French composer. These murals made in 1939 bear witness to the past economic, political and social of the city. Two important paintings refer to the first, to farm life and work in the fields of Commentry countries, while the second table recalls the industrial past of the city with a representation of minors and blacksmiths. Other notable frescoes show the different stages of life: motherhood, youth, education, old age. Also of note is a fresco depicting the Tree of Liberty, a fresco showing Marianne topped the arms of the city and a representation of Christopher Thivrier, '' the deputy of the smock '' Mayor Commentry at the time of the 'Paris Commune' '.
One can also find an imposing triptych Claude Duvent, the important dimensions: 4.25 m high and 9 meters in length. Three tables of Parisian scenes representing the work (with the dock of Daybreak and the Ile de la Jatte) Effort (construction of the Metropolitan) and 1900 (World Fair).
In the lobby, "The Iron Age", a marble sculpture, work of Alfred Lanson (1931) is attributed to the city of Commentry in 1931, at the request of Isidore Thivrier.
The struggle for progress is symbolically evoked it. The naked man armed with a spear, dominates in a triumphant attitude, an inverted figure at her feet, which symbolizes evil and ignorance.
In the city, the sculptures abound and offer to know the past of Commentry through the arts.
so one can discover the 'peasant' 'statue on deposit Commentry since 1925, exhibited at the Cultural Center, "The Pleiades". This is a shod peasant shoes, up his sleeves in order to get to work.
At the roundabout on Boulevard de Gaulle, is exposed "Minors" of Leibundgunth (1989), a beautiful white marble allegory came straight from a world exhibition.
Place Martenot, facing the entrance of the old forges, seat '' The Blacksmith ', Paul Sylvestre (1939), symbol of the industrial activity of Commentry. This important colossus of 1250 kg is wearing the leather apron. It carries the hammer, anvil and tongs, which are the iron workers attributes.
The Park Mine, worth a detour. Popular with locals, the site is very busy on weekends.
It hosts two noteworthy sculptures:
'' The Gifts of the Land "by Pierre Traverse (1924). This sculpture is placed on top of the great trench. It is composed of two callipyges beauties, which carry a basket of grapes symbolizing the gifts of the earth. below is a third woman, dressed in the antique. the set is locally nicknamed '' the Three Graces ''.
'' Sculpture '' Shoemaker (1937). Also located in the Mining Park, the work in white marble Alphonse-Amédée Cordonnier was commissioned the artist to decorate the façade of the Grand Palais at the 1900 Universal Exhibition This allegory bears the mark of its time: its sinuous lines characterize the works belonging to the '' modern 'style' '. She holds in his right hand and a mallet in his left hand chisel to stone.
Every Friday morning: Local market in the town center (around the Town Hall, Place of July 14, the covered market and the Sacred Heart church).
March: Carnival in the city and Citizen Day.
April: Market for auto in the parking lot of the Agora.
July: National Day in town (street entertainment, burning of the Mayor, cycling race, citizen meals...) and '' Synergy Bayoux '' significant concentration of trikes and bikes from all over Europe, in the plain Agora.
August: Feast of the '' Vijon '' in town (which means time relaxing rural Bourbonnais) with a flea market, carnival, concerts, street entertainment, a torchlight parade, fireworks, a cycling race...
September: '' Sports Fest '' stage Thivrier, launch party of the Cultural Season at the Agora and the race '' Transcommentryenne '' around Commentry.
October: Night of the Fireflies in town.
Early November: Autumn Market in the hall of the Agora.
Late November: Annual concert of the St. Cecilia Concert by Commentryenne in the Sacred Heart church.
December: Festivities end of the year in the city, around a Christmas market with many events (children's shows, racing Santa Claus...)
Throughout the year, local sports and cultural associations Commentry also offer demonstrations, animations, meetings and exchanges.
Throughout the year, the cultural center "The Pleiades" organizes cultural events, shows and concerts and exhibitions.
The Agora hosts recently the "Dynamo", workshops and advice shows manufacturers in the context of artist residencies and the "Go to the Glass '' (shows and exhibitions).
Château des Forges Castle Montassiégié (vicinity of Commentry).
spa town of Néris-les-Bains (spa, casino, theater, parks and gardens, Romanesque church of Saint-Georges...).
Golf in the plain of St. Agatha (in Néris-les-Bains and Montluçon).
Romanesque Church of St. Prejet Malicorne and Romanesque churches St. Patroclus Colombier and La Celle.
Dam and reservoir in Bazergues (commune of La Celle).
Pond Montmurier and Romanesque church Durdat.
Equestrian Center Durdat-Larequille (locality Boussier).
