Montluçon

Located at the heart of the old province of Bourbonnais, the town of Montluçon has retained many traces of its medieval period. Its historical centre, as picturesque as you could wish for with its side streets dotted with old timber-framed houses, is dominated by the imposing form of the main building of the Castle of the Dukes of Bourbon. The latter, flanked by a square keep, clock tower and Italian-style gallery, houses the Museum of Popular Music, an exhibition space with over 800 instruments, an eclectic selection to say the least, including a large collection of hurdy-gurdies! At the approach to the museum, the castle esplanade with orientation table offers a beautiful view of the roofs and bell towers of the town.

Below the fortifications, the discovery of Montluçon continues as you explore its medieval squares and side streets, dotted with remarkable monuments such as the house of the Twelve Apostles, the Deanery passage and the Churches of Our Lady and St. Peter.

Erected in the 11th and 12th centuries, the Romanesque Church of St. Peter contains a splendid statue of St. Magdalene from the late 15th century. The Church of Our Lady, built in the 15th century, contains a figure of Jesus Christ with stone bonds from the 15th century, as well as a statue of Our Lady of Montluçon from the 17th century.

Not far from there is a pleasant green area that's ideal for a stopover, and Wilson Gardens, adorned with pretty French-style parterres.

On Saturday morning, market day, the old town of Montluçon is especially lively, with its many stands selling fresh local produce. A fine range of colours and flavours!

When it comes to festivities, there are two big events to put in your diaries: the carnival in Bœuf Villé, every year in March; and the medieval festival, every two years in July.

Montluçon: two atmospheres, two sets...

Nestled against the castle of the Dukes of Bourbon, the medieval city with its narrow streets, offers a peaceful stroll punctuated with beautiful half-timbered houses and mansions, witnesses of the great hours of Montluçon. The must of the city: the esplanade of the castle and its breathtaking view of the city!

Montluçon is experiencing a new golden age in the nineteenth century with the first industrial revolution. The city is expanding and has new arteries offering walkers this varied architecture peculiar to this time.

Montluçon has kept the soul of its prestigious past of the Bourbon era; the castle of Louis II of Bourbon proudly dominates the city. Stroll through the streets of the medieval city and discover the Saint-Pierre district, its Romanesque church of the twelfth century and the remarkable House of the Twelve Apostles.
Do not miss: The Mupop (Museum of Popular Music). In the heart of the medieval city of Montluçon, in an innovative museum of 3,300 m², discover, through a playful and interactive staging, the largest collection of instruments and musical objects in France. A headset on the ears, transport yourself in the different musical worlds: from jazz to rock, through the ball musette, pop music, electro... Share new sound experiences with family or friends! On a national scale, the Mupop houses an exceptional collection of instruments and musical objects in France, highlighted by a resolutely contemporary set design. 3,500 instruments and musical objects and 150 independent listening points. The museum of music that makes you vibrate!
Castle of the Dukes of Bourbon: The evocation of a castle in Montluçon is found in texts dating back to the eleventh century but it was not until Louis II of Bourbon, around 1370, to be built a real castle. The Hundred Years War deeply marked Montluçon and the castle that partially defended the city was destroyed by the English occupier. The project of Louis II of Bourbon had a mainly defensive objective. It was accompanied by two rows of ramparts, one around the castle, the other, encircling the city, in place of the current Boulevard de Courtais. This wall, the "cingulum majus", was open only four doors. This exterior defense wall consisted of 41 towers, which presented an impressive defensive system that was meant to be a deterrent. Indeed, Montluçon was at the crossroads of communications, making it a potential target for the British and gangs of bandits.
Houses of the medieval city: Inside the first defensive crown, the "breve cingulum", were built many half-timbered houses, dating from the fifteenth century. The medieval city of Montluçon, marked by a certain architectural unity, still retains some of these houses, especially in the Saint-Pierre district.
Saint-Pierre Church: Romanesque building dating from the twelfth century, the church of St. Peter has influences Auvergne but also Berry, especially with its barrel vault paneled. It was remodeled in the Gothic era and the classical era with a beautiful door of the seventeenth century at the top of which sits a wooden statuette of St. Peter. Inside, in the transept, to the right of the heart, are exposed three statues, classified as a Historic Monument: one of the most beautiful sculptures in France, Sainte-Madeleine, executed by Michel Colomb, Saint Barbara and a remarkable Virgin of Mercy.

Saint Barbara: stone statue of the 15th century. Locked up in a tower by her father until the day of her marriage, she refused the pretender chosen by the latter and thereby renounced her pagan religion to convert to Christianity. She suffered terrible suffering and her father eventually beheaded. He was immediately struck down by a divine flash. Her attributes are the tower in which she was locked up and the Palme des Martyrs in reference to the pains she endured.
Saint Madeleine: stone statue of the late fifteenth century. She is standing, her body slightly arched, her waist encircled in a corselet of the Louis XII period. Her attribute is a jar of perfume or an ointment jar she used to anoint the body of Christ on the descent of the cross.
Virgin of pity: stone statue of the late fifteenth century. This sculpture is at the hinge between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, which is marked by a clear evolution in the expression of the feelings on the face of the Virgin in comparison with the statue of Saint Barbara. Christ is disproportionate because at the time, this was a way of giving importance to a character.

On the right of the Saint-Pierre church is one of the most beautiful houses in the area: the house of the twelve apostles. Formerly, twelve statues, representing each of the apostles, were carved on the sides of the first floor. All were unfortunately destroyed during the Revolution but we can still guess their location. A snake is carved on one of the facades of the house. Opposite, pale green, a house has a double corbelling, advanced that allowed its occupants to gain space on each floor. This construction system had the advantage of reducing the tax based on the footprint of buildings.
To the left of the Saint-Pierre church, one can see the Fountain with Lions, old fountain cave, which one can notice the sandstone bow which attests to its first construction in XII^e century. It was modified in the 19th century with Volvic stone. Two cast iron lion heads adorn its wall. Formerly, beneficial virtues were attributed to this fountain. Perhaps it is the origin of an adage that says: "Nose lions you will wet, Happiness, all year, you will have".
Church of Our Lady: Unfinished building, the Gothic church of Notre-Dame retains a transept and a Romanesque apse. It allows to discover the evolution of the Gothic style, particularly visible by the layout of the bays which amplifies from East to West. Built from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 15th century on the site of a Romanesque church of which some remains remain, it was slightly reworked in the 17th century before experiencing a recent restoration. The facade shows a cutaway that was intended not to interfere with the entrance to the castle. The stained glass windows, recently restored, date from the 16th century and have been classified as a Historic Monument since 1906. Numerous works of art can be admired: the statues depicting Christ waiting for the ordeal on Calvary and Saint-Jean Baptiste, a Pieta and a representation of Our Lady of Montluçon... remarkable stained glass windows. Finally, the beautiful murals that adorn the interior of the Chapel of the Sacred Choir and including the frescoes of the Nativity and the Last Supper.

Christ with bound hands: stone statue from the end of the 15th century. This work, located on the left when entering, is particularly moving because it shows the features of Christ and his eyes closed, thus giving an impression of suffering and resignation.
Saint-Jean Baptiste carrying the lamb: polychrome stone statue of the late fifteenth century. The attitude, the draperies are without stiffness and well out of the stone. The rather inexpressive face reveals a second-rate artist.
Pieta: stone statue of the late fifteenth century. This sculpture is quite different from other Pieta by holding the Virgin. Indeed, she does not look at the face of his son and do not hug, unlike the Pieta that we are used to seeing.

Around the garden Wilson:

Porte Fouquet: in the 17th century, Louis XIV imprisoned his superintendent of finance Fouquet. The mother, wife and three children of the latter were ordered to withdraw to Montluçon. They occupied the castle of Gaiety, outside the ramparts. Very pious, Madame Fouquet wished to reduce the distance that separated her from the Saint-Pierre church and asked to open, at her expense, a new access in the ramparts, to go more quickly to the church. This explains the existence and the name of this new door.
Jardin Wilson: this French garden, called Jardin des remparts, was created in 1937 in gardens of mansions and inaugurated in 1939 by Marx-Dormoy. From the medieval walls, only part of the curtain remains, as the fortifications were largely destroyed in the 18th century. At the bottom of the garden, near the basin, is the bust of André Messager, born at Montluçon on December 30, 1853. He was one of the greatest composers of the French school of operetta.

Around the Place de la Fontaine:

Place de la Fontaine: This fountain seems to be the oldest known source of drinking water at Montluçon. At its base, we found a water pipe enameled from the inside and coated concrete seems Roman. It was formerly composed of four contiguous standpipes, before being replaced by the current octagonal basin made of Volvic stone dating from the twentieth century.
In the Rue de la Fontaine, on the lintel of the door located at No. 5, the walker can discover the oldest inscription found in the medieval city. These few Latin words, dating from 1594 mean: "In you Lord I hoped, I will not be confused eternally".

Around the passage of the Deanery:

Place Notre-Dame: during the entire revolutionary period, this place was called Place de la Liberté. A guillotine was erected there; it bore the inscription: "Tremble, Aristocrats, I am there permanently". But she never served. On May 25, 1792, a tree of freedom was planted in its center.
Passage du Doyenné: this passage dates from the 13th century. The vault under which the walker passes, is a vault of ogives supported by large ribs resting on carved crows. Its function was to communicate the Dean's house and the home of the canons. The passage takes its name from the Dean of the Chapter Saint-Nicolas. When we look up, we discover a semicircular arch framed by two colonnades each surmounted by a small figure representing a musician: it is the window of the dean.
At the time, there were two churches on either side of the passage: the Saint-Louis chapel on the left, of which there are still the foothills, and the Saint-Nicolas church, located almost opposite Saint-Louis. St. Nicholas was completely destroyed after the Revolution. It is here that the transition between the medieval city and the modern city is made.

Around Grande Street:

Salt granary: In 1341, Philip VI decreed that salt should be taxed. Indeed, the caisses of the kingdom needed to be bailed out. The salt loft at Montluçon, one of the few still standing, dates back to 1593. It is now a renowned hotel and restaurant. It should be noted that in the Grande Gabelle region, which included the Bourbonnais, one was obliged to buy his quota of one millot (100 kg) per year and per family, with the prohibition of reselling what was in excess.
Porte Bretonnie: this little square is full of architectural details such as the coffee shop located in an old medieval town gate or the Landor shop whose brightly colored wood panels remind us that the woodwork was painted in medieval times. This place, which dates back to the Hundred Years War, owes its name to the fact that the English had established here their camp became the "district of the Bretons".

Guided tours with the Tourist Office on +33 4 70 05 11 44.

Information points	Tourist Office of Montluçon
Leisure centres	Aquatic Park of the Loue Museum of the Musiques Populaires Racecourse Saint-Jean
Monuments	Castle of Bien-Assis Castle of the Ducs de Bourbon Castle of the Étourneaux Church Notre-Dame Church Saint-Paul Church Saint-Pierre
Performance halls	Centre Athanor Centre Marcel Pagnol Le Festin Le Guingois
Transport	Train station of La Ville-Gozet Train station of Montluçon-Rimard Train station of Montluçon-Ville

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Montluçon

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Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Allier

Additional informationMontluçon

Things to see and do

Places of interest

Photos

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Related articlesMontluçon

Additional information
Montluçon

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Montluçon