Dompierre-sur-Besbre is a town located north of the department of Allier, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alps region, 30 km east of Moulins.
The commune is bordered to the east by the Loire which constitutes, moreover, the limit with the department of Saône-et-Loire. It is crossed by one of its tributaries, the Besbre, and by its lateral canal.
In the 12th century, Dompierre-sur-Besbre grew up on the edge of the Sologne bourbonnaise natural region, rich in ponds and streams, a free city that was established in the immediate vicinity of the rich abbey of Sept-Fons, established on The neighboring commune of Diou.
Agricultural and commercial center, a crossroads of communication between Burgundy and the central massif, Dompierre-sur-Besbre develops more in the 19th century with the creation of the lateral canal of the Loire and the arrival of the railway, and in the 20th, the installation of a foundry Integrated in the PSA group, which manufactures crankcases and brake parts. 600 employees are employed there, whereas the city has only a little more than 3000 inhabitants.
Its rich natural heritage and cultural vitality make it a popular destination for lovers of green tourism.
As for the built heritage, a visit to the Saint-Joseph church built in the 19th century to replace a building that has become old and exiguous makes it possible to admire a stone altar, interesting windows and wooden stalls of the eighteenth century Coming from the abbey of Sept-Fons (which obviously deserves a detour too). For further information, please call +33 4 70 48 11 30.
A walk can be envisaged elsewhere until the elegant castle of the Sheepfold and its round towers (XIXe). Alas, the building is private and can not be visited.
On the territory of the city, benefiting from a specific natural environment, several sites are also worth a walk.
This is the case of Parc de la Source, near the Percières lake. There is a health course, a playground and a very rich set of plantations and trees (oak, ash, hazel, rhododendron, azaleas, bamboos, cypresses of Ceylon...) and many rose bushes. Free access. For further information, please call +33 4 70 48 11 30.
More amazing, the flood gardens: a park laid out in flood zone on the banks of the Besbre. The species that have been planted there have a dual purpose: they resist immersion in case of flood and allow local flora and fauna to flourish (dragonflies, butterflies, hares...). A footpath and footbridge provide access to the river. For further information, please call +33 4 70 48 11 30.
Numerous hiking and cycling routes have been set up to better understand the environment and the small heritage on the territory of Dompierre and its surroundings. Brochures and information at +33 4 70 34 61 31.
Note that hikers can also take the 30 km constituting the greenway from Dompierre to Digoin on the towpath of the lateral canal to the Loire. A route that goes through the abbey of Sept-Fons.
For fans of fishing in pond or river, contact the +33 4 70 34 54 40.
Another way to discover the landscapes: a "cruise" on the canal aboard a barge without a permit. Information at +33 4 70 48 27 27. Departure from the marina which is in itself a walk...
In another genre, one can choose the pleasures of swimming. The swimming pool is equipped with a 25 m pool and play equipment. Contact us at +33 4 70 48 02 68.
Dompierre-sur-Besbre has retained its vocation as a commercial hub.
To discover the local terroir, a market takes place on Saturday morning.
The 3rd Saturday of the month, it turns into a fair.
Note also that a fair-exhibition takes place on the first weekend of October and that an annual flea market is programmed every first weekend of July.
In the cultural and festive area, the Cinema-Nature Meetings open the season for three days in mid-April: screenings of films, meetings, photo exhibitions and concerts.
At the end of May, Dompierre-sur-Besbre is one of the localities hosting the festival Jazz en Bocage which programs famous artists.
At the end of June, on the occasion of Saint-Pierre, a fair for three days concluded with a fireworks display.
