Vergheas is located at the western end of the Department of Puy-De-Dôme in the Region of Combrailles. It is at the center of a circle: to the East Clermont-Ferrand (60 km), to the North Montluçon (40 km), to the South Aubusson (50 km), to the West Gueret (70 km).
It is one of the small towns both in terms of its area (800 hectares) and its population (about 60 inhabitants). Its landscape is dominated by pastures, woods, ponds… Somewhat hilly; the altitude varies between 500 and 650 m, which makes it easy to walk on the many paths.
The origin of the name could come from the Gallic Vergius who designated a particularly active, hardworking character.
Vergheas is listed under the name Vergiacum in the papal bull written by Pascal II in 1118. Under the Ancien Régime, Vergheas was administered by the Generalitat de Moulins and this since 1630. During the Revolution860Tb9T9je4 in the district of Montaigut in the canton of Montel de Gelat.
It is only since 1801 with the redistribution of the cantons by the Consulate, that Vergheas belongs to the canton of Pionsat.
It is now part of the Community of Communes of the country of Saint Eloy.
The 12th century Romanesque-style church stands in the center of the village of Vergheas. Somewhat redeveloped over the centuries, it is classified as a Historic Monument.
The stained-glass windows of the choir were made by Alain Makaraviez, a glass artist who also expressed his art in the cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand.
The various enamelled lavas on local granite (Stations of the Cross, altar, tabernacle) come from the Jean Jaffeux workshops in Riom.
Since the 13th century, the church has housed the Virgin of Vergheas. Legend has it that this treasure was brought back by the local lords, in particular that of Roche d'Agoux, during a crusade, probably the 7th. She is one of the five crowned Virgins of Puy-de-Dôme. It has been classified as a Historic Monument since the 19th century.
The names of the streets of the village (rue de Lavoir, de la Chapelle, de la Fontaine, des Moulins) make you want to stroll through the village.
The town has known many masons from the Creuse who until 1914 shaped the architecture of the villages. All along the Pampeluze river, water mills still feature in the landscape.
The GR 41 (Tours-Mont d'Auvergne) runs along the town for 5 km. Two hiking trails start from Vergheas (16 and 5 km). Many rural paths crisscross the town and allow everyone to find their interest (fishing, bikes, mushrooms...) or simply admire the landscape.
Vergheas is a place of Pilgrimage. The Virgin of Vergheas leaves in procession since the dawn of time on the Sunday following August 15 to a chapel 800 m from the church.
Vergheas is a place of folklore. Every Pentecost Sunday since 1987, the local folklore group has organized its folklore festival.
Vergheas is a place of conviviality. Every summer for decades, different events have taken place around the village hall.
Puy de Dôme side, a few kilometers away, Pionsat castle, mining museum in Saint-Éloy-les-Mines, Chancelade pond, aquatic leisure center at Pont du Bouchet (Les Ancizes), rail bike on the Fades viaduct, Cellette viaduct.... A little further on, you will learn all about volcanism after visiting Vulcania and Lemptegy. The mountain landscapes of the Golden Mountains are less than 50 km away.
Côté Creuse, tapestry museum in Aubusson, Les Pierres Jaumâtres near Boussac, the Landes Pond (Natura 2000 classified) near Chambon-sur-Voueize.
It is very difficult to name all the activities or discoveries because there are so many in this region!