Link to this page
Back to the guide of the Cantal

Saint-Flour amazes the visitor. The city, proud, that cap the square towers of a Gothic cathedral stands, such a ship in the sky on a promontory of basalt, a thousand meters. At her feet flows a peaceful small river spanned the past, on an old bridge, probably of Roman origin, the old way of "France in the Languedoc."

Fortress city being one with the base of volcanic roots, symbolized by his abrupt introduction, it illustrates the strong currency over the centuries: "No one took me by force the wind." English road Huguenots failed before the walls of that, which by the Treaty of Bretigny had been proclaimed "Keys of France against the Guyenne." During the Revolution, it earned the name "Fort Cantal" and for his achievements during the last war, it was mentioned in dispatches.

A road hairpin, along beautiful organ, or a steep path leading to the door of La Thuile, provide access to the citadel. The Old Town group Renaissance mansions around the Place d'Armes. The Cathedral of St. Peter, Gothic, combining basalt stone Murat, contains the relics of Saint-Flour, the "Le Beau Dieu", famous sculpture painted black walnut, unique and a beautiful mural restored a few years ago.

The "villa Sancti Flori" ...

In the 5th century, on this rocky outcrop defended on three sides by basalt cliffs, sometimes Lodève, a missionary bishop, whose name reveals the Gallo-Roman "Florus". It brings together the people around him on the spot where he planted the cross of Christ. He left at his death, a small church. Its influence is immense and for nearly five centuries, his reputation will attract pilgrims Saint around his tomb, where, little by little, will be grouped housing that will become the Villa Sancti Flori.

In the 11th century, a native son, the monk Odilon Mercoeur, the future abbot of the great order of Cluny, gives the city a priory. Thus began the vocation of this small town in the center of civilization, a place of prayer but also ... stronghold. "Villa Sancti Flori" turns into "Flori Oppidum Sancti." In 1317, during the pontificate of John XXII, Saint-Flour is the seat of a new diocese. Possession from the 13th century, its municipal franchises, acquired or granted the right of self-defense left to the inhabitants, the city attracts Sanflorains favor of royalty to which it responds during the English occupation, from 1356 to 1391, for a strong defense which earned him the part of King Charles the fifth title of "Key to the Kingdom Devers Guienne."

7th and Charles came to take refuge ...

Later, Charles comes to take seventh behind its high walls for shelter when, in 1437, returning from Languedoc, he learned by a message from the Queen, the conspiracy of Angers which would bar his road to Paris. For eight days he remained in Saint-Flour and enjoy this short break to collect his military before pursuing his victorious march on Paris, taken from the English by the Duke of Richmond. Around the Cathedral of St. Pierre, high in the early 15th century, created an intellectual and religious power, over the centuries, by the presence of notables, the consuls of the commune, people dress and justice. Thus, the small town becomes a legal and religious capital.

Architecture full of history ...

It is remarkable how the rich past Sanflorains reads even in old buildings, the layout of streets, the order and character of the medieval monuments remained standing. Two fortified gates still show the complexity of the defenses of the city. The terrace of the Rocks puts the visitor in the place where the medieval sentry watching off the enemy bands took to the Gevaudan. Place d'Armes has substantially the appearance it had in the Middle Ages. Some arcades that were around have disappeared, this place has kept the two great monuments which constitute the framework: the Gothic cathedral façade and the "Renaissance" of the Consular House. It is just walk its ancient streets with names such typical, instead of "Mets" Street of "Walls" or even the "Muret" to discover curious relics like the ring embedded in the amount of a door the 16th century, which the master of the house attached the bridle of his horse.

Glory days and dark periods ...

The Revolution of 1789 breaks down the walls and puts an end to the military exploits of the city. From this distant and glorious past, it remains to Saint-Flour, his royal arms, "a blue field sown with lilies of gold" which is the most valuable reward of military value. The seats have succeeded, in turn, fingering, glory days and dark periods. The last war, the city Sanflorains retains the vivid memory of the suffering. For the first time ever, she saw her old citadel ground trodden by the enemy.

A calling home ...

Center of a predominantly agricultural country, and well aware of its exceptional natural setting and beauty of its sites, Saint-Flour turned to tourism. She was the first city in the Cantal (and one of the first in France) set up as tourist resort by decree of June 13, 1921. Doors which for centuries were closely guarded the approaches of the enemy, are now wide open to visitors.

The "Recluse" - The fierce city monitors the horizon of breathtaking Margeride, Highway "The Meridian" which passes without touching it, and the lower town. You win it by the Old Bridge on Ander, where for centuries the "Recluse", symbol of the soul of Saint-Flour, voluntary life locked in her dressing room corbelled, prayed for all Sanflorains .

To the blue waters - A few miles from Saint-Flour, Anderson joined the Truyère retained in the majestic dam Grandval around romantic, punctuated by masterpieces like medieval castle Alleuze and modern as the famous Garabit viaduct or equivalent highway recently.