Coulandon is a rural municipality with a 12th-century church. The Église Saint Martin was built from sandstone from Coulandon; construction presumably began at the end of the last Romanesque period in Bourbonnais in the 11th century. It has been protected as a historic monument since 4 September 1913.
When planning a trip to Coulandon, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Culture
The Château de Certilly, also known as Chartilly, is a stone manor house dating from the 15th century, with a dormer window featuring a triangular pediment, a coat of arms dated 1582 above the entrance door, and two projecting turrets, one round and one square.
Le Châtelet is a stone manor house dating from the 15th century on the road to Montilly. The building includes an internal corner tower, an angled staircase to the north, and a south-facing garden façade dating from the 17th century.
The Château de La Chassagne lies east of Coulandon on the road to Montégut. The 16th- and 17th-century manor house consists of a rectangular residential building and two recessed pavilions with round towers; traces of dry moats are still visible.
The Château de La Presle is a château built of stone and two-coloured brick, surrounded by a large park. The fief already existed in the 15th century.
Walking Trails
PR 9 – Circuit de Coulandon is a signposted, moderately difficult circular hike covering 11.8 kilometres, with a stated duration of three hours. The “La balade des potiers” hiking trail passes through the hamlet of La Poterie. This reflects the important craft activity of potters in Coulandon, which continued until the 19th century.
History
In 1886, an Iron Age settlement was discovered north of Coulandon, between La Calvardière and the municipal boundary with Marigny. The dwelling pits of this settlement, dug into the ground and covered with branches, are called “Mardelles”.
There are nine mission crosses in the Coulandon area, often located at crossroads. Until quite recently, some were used for processions during the Rogations, a three-day liturgical observance before Ascension Day.
The former Coulandon railway station building is still standing at 9, route de St-Menoux. The sandstone quarries of Coulandon supplied stone used to build the Régemortes Bridge and Moulins Cathedral.
Other places: Laprugne, Jaligny-Sur-Besbre, Ébreuil, Beaulon, Vieure, Besson, Cusset, Ronnet.
