Saint-Germain-l'Herm
Saint-Germain-l'Herm
Travel guide and tourist information
Travel guide and tourist information
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Saint-Germain-l'Herm The country has a certain unity: both by its relatively high altitude, between 800 and 1200 meters, the climate for long winters, very snowy landscapes of grass and dark woods dominate or softwood (pine or spruce ). Lying on a third Livradois he leaves depressions of St. Amant, Cunlhat and Saint-Dier north and the eastern edge of the massive falls rapidly over the ditch Ambert and more gentle slopes that descend to the west to the basin of the Allier. The central part forms a broad hilly plateau at an average altitude of 1000 meters, tilted in three directions: east, south, west, making it a center of dispersion of water: Dolo, Dore, Doulon, streams and Châteauneuf Lastroux. Many ponds remain, such as those of the Colombiere, the Fargette, pine, MARCHAUD (built in the water for recreation). The granite soil (granite, granulite, sand, quartz and amethyst) is not favorable to crops, increasingly abandoned in favor of a reforestation so extensive that around Saint-Germain the country seems to have become a huge forest.
Origin of name: Saint-Germain takes its name from a holy bishop of Auxerre in the 5th century, Herm means deserted place. Under the revolution Saint-Germain was known as Germain-la-Montagne. The people are the holy Germinois.
In the middle of the plateau Livradois, Saint-Germain is the capital of the canton higher. His village is in a large clearing between the forest and the southern woods and Pommerel Saulzet north it sprawls across the wood Fraisse, east from the bridge to pass that Doulon crossing the road going to Issoire to 32 kilometers, Ambert is 25 kilometers.
In the neighborhood we have reported in the 19th century traces of Celtic monuments.
In the 11th century, the Benedictines of La Chaise-Dieu founded a priory at Saint-Germain.
His name was prior to parishes of Saint-Germain, Saint-Martin-des-Ollières. It had areas of pine and MARCHAUD (parish of Saint-Bonnet-le-Bourg) and a forest reserve estimated at 274 acres (140 hectares).
From the Middle Ages to the 17th century: Saint-Germain was at the crossroads of several paths: De La Chaise-Dieu Issoire to Nonette Ambert, Puy to Billom. Soon the monks created a weekly market and fair October 19, the 16th century founder Louis 12th in two in June and September. It perceived the rights of Leyden, "corretage" (law on sales) and "Taules (right place). In 1683 these rights were leased for 210 pounds to three recipients, and the consuls putting in 100 that the city was the religious Ambert and used the rest to maintain the clock and fountain. The merchants formed an association whose feast is celebrated on the day of Our Lady of February.
The town and the priory and the church were fortified, strengthened the fortifications of the 14th century are only two towers, one at the northeast corner of the church, the other at the site of the former priory. Saint-Germain retains many old houses with floors cantilevered with some sculptures at a street corner, in a niche is a statue of the Virgin (MH 1961).
In the 16th century the followers of Protestantism, we see some Gerfaud, Saint-Germain, among the ten signatories of a letter addressed to "gentlemen of Geneva" for sending a preacher. As everywhere in the late seventeenth, Saint-Germain-l'Herm experienced great poverty.
The 18th century: In a country with poor fertility was unknown wheat and rye itself gave only low yields, one of the lowest in Auvergne. An important resource was the export of forest, the most beautiful trees were intended to serve as masts for the navy, others were used for the construction of "fir", flat boats down the Allier. The big problem was the transport to the Allier Nonette or Parentignat.
The revolution she knew no serious events. As in the whole district did not voluntarily answered the call from July 1791 to form the first battalion of volunteers is what the mayor says, Abbe Roussel.
- From an exceptional archaeological interest this building is the result of building campaigns that range from the 11th to the mid 19th century.
- At first Romanesque relate the first two spans broken barrel vaulted arches on arches with stiffening side received on pilasters transom. Both bays are following them after half a century and the third opens onto a south chapel of the 15th century vaulted arches, north chapel on a cot covered with a cross of the 15th century or 17th century; The fourth side is flanked by uneven half-barrel. The square of the transept confined by massive and irregular cells is covered with a dome on consoles wrong with prismatic curiously decorated with a button. His arms are highlights of a cradle vaulted semicircular and each opens to the east on a semi-circular apse wearing a dead-furnace. Built by Jacques de Saint-Nectaire, last regular abbot of La Chaise-Dieu, the choir consists of two unequal spans rectangular vaulted arches with arches and liernes (the keys are stamped with the arms of the prelate manufacturer) followed by an apse framed Cut lighted by a window trefoiled.
- The west facade with its rows of crows and the tower are modern. The roofs were raised in a defensive purpose, some elements of Romanesque cornice stored in the masonry show their original level.
- The capitals of the engaged columns of the transept providing an original setting: fantastic bestiary of monsters up to two bodies, two-headed eagle, hare between two birds tailed mermaid, but a figure with outstretched arms flanked by two deer which we wanted to see a representation of Daniel in the lions' den. Engraved on the stack northeastern transept crossing an inscription gives the date of completion of the Romanesque period.
- The furniture is important quest dish decorated in the center of the scene of Saint George slaying the dragon, tinned copper 16th century (MH1972), processional crosses carved and painted gold (MH1972), St. Germain converting a libertine hunter Issoire, wooden panel painted in the 18th century (Inv. MH1973), large crucifix, wooden painted 18th century (Inv. MH1981), wooden statues painted and gilded with a virgin Pity the venerated under the name of Our Lady of Snow and the Holy Trinity, woodwork in the 17th and 18th centuries in the forum, the nave and the sacristy, and Roman capital dug to serve as a clam.
- The bells are from 1546, 1624, 1836 (J. Martin) and 1867 (from Burnichon).
- In a narrow street near the church, reads an inscription carved into three heads, hence the name "Street of the three heads."
- Megalith classified is a menhir at roadside on the outskirts of the village. In profile, the menhir is reminiscent of a pregnant woman and for this reason that the megalith became a symbol of fertility. Women were there to rub his belly be more fruitful.
- April 23 St. George
- June 11th St. Barnabas
- July 26th St. Anne
- August 20 St. Bernard
- September 27 St. Vincent de Paul
- October 18 St. Luke
- Top Livradois Festival: Every year from August 10 to 22.
- Mountain Flea: Flea market, garage sale August 16.
| ATTRACTIONS, LEISURES AND ACTIVITES AROUND |
Many themed walks in summer.
A day camp welcomes children during the holidays.
 | View Saint-Germain-l'Herm |  |
| |  | A Winter in Upper Livradois | |
|
 | Stone of Prades | |
| |  | Niche Virgin Saint-Germain-l'Herm | |
|
 | Capitals of the church: two-headed eagle | |
| |  | Capital in the church: the hare between two birds tailed mermaid | |
|
| www.hautlivradoistourisme.com | Tourist Office of Canton Saint-Germain-l'Herm |
| Wednesday 15 February | Day
 | Night
 | | Min. 1°C - Max. 2°C |
| | Thursday 16 February | Day
| Night
| | Min. -1°C - Max. 2°C |
| | Friday 17 February | Day
 | Night
 | | Min. -7°C - Max. 1°C |
|
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