Gouttières is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 10 km south-east of Pionsat.
Its territory of 25 km² oscillates from 591 to 803 meters in altitude, in the heart of the natural region of Combrailles, on the borders of Limousin and Bourbonnais.
Crossed by the course of the Loop and a few streams, the locality has preserved green landscapes, its area being covered with meadows dedicated to cattle breeding (42% of the land), forests (29%) and areas agricultural…
Made up of a town and several hamlets, the town was already occupied during Antiquity, when gold mines were exploited and Gallo-Roman remains were unearthed. In the Middle Ages, the small seigneury of Gouttières was for a time in the possession of Count Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of King Saint Louis (13th century). A provost is then established which dominates several parishes… At the same time, a commandery of the order of Saint John of Jerusalem is established.
Much later, in the 19th century, to the south of the locality, sandstone quarries were exploited, as well as coal mines, for the space of a few decades.
Nowadays, although there are only about 370 inhabitants on Gouttières, its bucolic environment and its cultural dynamism (street art) make the town a pleasant stopover north of the Massif Central.
A discovery of Gouttières can begin with the Montagnard hill, which dominates the town to the northwest. At its summit, 737 meters above sea level, an orientation table allows you to find your bearings while enjoying one of the most beautiful panoramas in Auvergne. To the south, we can see the Chaîne des Puys, the Monts Dore and even the Monts du Forez, but also, to the north, the crest of the Grand Bois, the highest point in the town. We also note the small chapel of Notre-Dame des Blés, built in 1959, which symbolizes the tradition of blessing the harvest…
Back in the village, see the parish church of Saint-Pierre. Romanesque in base, the building originally depended on the Abbey of Mozac. Substantial alterations were however carried out in the 19th century: thus, side chapels were added and an octagonal bell tower with a spire replaced the old comb bell tower. Inside, in addition to ancient statues, the church has stained glass windows by master Lagaye de Lanteuil (1834-1915).
However, now, it is also because of its status as a small capital of street art that Gouttières attracts visitors. Extension of a pun linked to the very name of the town, a statue of a sculpted wooden cat was acquired by the town hall in 2017, then, invited by an association, graffiti artists (Cofee, Rino or Topaz, in particular), painted frescoes representing cats on facades and public buildings. Other works, sculpted this time, completed these decorations which make Gouttières a singular example of a rural town specializing in urban art. Thus, a walk in the town which has become an open-air (and free) museum against a backdrop of traditional houses is synonymous with a complete change of scenery! Information on +33 4 73 85 74 12.
In a completely different area, in terms of "nature" leisure, towards the hamlet of Bouchauds, the Bialloux pond delights fishing enthusiasts who take advantage of its setting imbued with tranquility. Open from March to September. Daily rate: 6 euros. Map on sale at the town hall. Contact on +33 4 73 85 74 12.
Hiking enthusiasts (on foot or even by mountain bike) have many paths that allow them to crisscross the countryside with its hilly bocage landscapes, or even to climb, for example, up to at the ridge that marks the north of the town (where the cross of the "Four priests" is planted, in the woods of Pionsat, at an altitude of 803 meters).
A 12.5 km loop, known as Bouchauds Gouttières, is also marked and does not present any particular difficulty. For experienced walkers or cyclists, other routes are available in the form of invitations to discover the Combrailles... Maps and information from the tourist office on +33 4 73 85 80 94.
