Crédits photo bandeau Vue sur le haut du village de Saint-Nectaire
The village of Saint-Nectaire can be found in the picturesque Couze Chambon Valley. Embellished by its exceptional Romanesque church, the village shares its name with the famous Saint-Nectaire cheese, but it also has plenty of sights to see.
This is a village with taste!
Planted in the Sancy foothills, this authentic village of Auvergne, the cradle of Saint-Nectaire cheese, doubles up as a 19th-century spa town. The villas and big hotels of the former spa resort make up the lower part of the town, extending along the Courançon stream. Towering above the village, Mont Cornadore watches over Saint-Nectaire-le-Haut and its Romanesque church.
Perched on Mont Cornadore, the Romanesque church of Saint-Nectaire stands proudly among the five most important examples of Romanesque art in Auvergne. Its predominant position means visitors can admire from every angle the perfectly balanced architecture and the beautiful lava stone.
Inside, the polychrome capitals and other treasures bear witness to the church’s importance and its long history...
The Romanesque church of Saint-Nectaire on its promontory
The choir of the church of Saint-Nectaire and its capitals
The Romanesque church of Saint-Nectaire on its promontory
Saint-Nectaire is famous for its incredible heritage.
Water is a real source of this diversity. From the salted swamp maritime worthy with several springs to the petrifying sources which inspires local artisans.
From the salted swamp literal worthy and its 40 springs to the petrifying waters inspiring every local artisan. The salted swamp, maritime curiosity of Auvergne, Petrifying fountains, Saint-Nectaire springs, Morange Spring, Giraudon Spring.
We can also affirm that there was once life during Antiquity, even if only a few vestiges are still visible: few remains were found during excavations in the Cornadore Caves. This old roman thermal bath, fed by an iron spring and salted water, can be visited near the Upper Saint-Nectaire (Saint-Nectaire-le-Haut).
The former thermal baths of Saint-Nectaire, now the tourist office
The village shares its name with the famous Saint-Nectaire PDO cheese that originated from the surrounding pastures. Saint-Nectaire is a very pleasant cheese of great finesse, with a characteristic nutty taste that it owes to the rich flora of the meadows where the Salers and Montbéliarde cows spend the summer grazing.
A number of farms invite you to see how this iconic cheese of Sancy is made, and take away with you a delicious morsel of Auvergne!
Did you know...?
The lords of the House of Saint-Nectaire lent their name to both the village and the cheese. But the name was given many variations, from Senectère to Senectaire, then Sennecterre! It eventually ended up with the name we know today: Saint-Nectaire.
Saint-Nectaire cheese maturing
The village of Saint-Nectaire is one of the 6 Famille Plus-certified villages of the Massif du Sancy.
This certification label guarantees great hospitality for parents and children during their holiday. In Saint-Nectaire, there are plenty of accommodation solutions, restaurants and activities that will ensure families get the very best out of their stay.
Discover the Family Plus label
Added bonus
10 minutes from Saint-Nectaire, enjoy the Blue Flag beaches of Lake Chambon for a refreshing swim with your family.
Family cycling break in the Sancy
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