The Church of Saint-Germain preserves two vaulted bays from the 12th-century building. Its choir forms the former chapel of a priory dating from the 15th century that has since disappeared. The church also contains stained-glass windows of rare value and originality.
The Château de Salles includes a 7-hectare park with mature trees. The private Château des Joyeux is a 19th-century building in the Gothic Revival style. The private Château de Ceron is a former 15th-century fief overlooking the Sioule. The Moulin de Salles was built by the Templars in the 13th century.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment can consider Saint-Germain-De-Salles as a destination.
Nature
Saint-Germain-de-Salles is part of the continental ZNIEFF Type 1 area “Basse Sioule”. This encompasses the Sioule and its adjacent wetlands along an approximately 30 km stretch of its lower course in the Allier département.
The floodplain habitats of the continental ZNIEFF Type 1 area “Basse Sioule” are home to rich biodiversity, including bats, terrestrial mammals, birds and fish.
Trails and activities
The hamlet of Salles lies on the southeastern side, 300 metres from the Sioule. The shaded Place de la Chaume-Billard has toilets and drinking-water fountains.
The 27 km-long Voie Verte du Val de Sioule runs through Saint-Germain-de-Salles and connects Gannat with Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule. It is open daily year-round and freely accessible.
The 16.5 km-long hiking route “Les écluses”, rated as difficult, passes through Salles via the Place de la Chaume-Billard. Les Ecuries du Gâ is an equestrian centre with stabling for boarders; events are organised there, and trail rides are offered for children aged three and over.
Further destinations: Coulandon, Gannay-Sur-Loire, Le Mayet-De-Montagne, Lignerolles, Paray-Sous-Briailles, Marigny, Louchy-Montfand, Bressolles.
