Sainte-Thérence: Holiday Apartments and Houses

In Sainte-Thérence, the Château de l'Ours stands at the confluence of the Cher and the Ours stream, on a narrow rocky ridge on the boundary between Sainte-Thérence and Saint-Genest. The medieval military architectural complex has been listed as a “Monument historique” since 1995.

Anyone choosing Sainte-Thérence as a holiday destination will want to rent a holiday apartment there.

Culture and History

The church of Sainte-Thérence is also part of the Combraille Bourbonnaise, a landscape criss-crossed by the gorges of the Cher and its tributaries. It dates from the late 12th century and was built in the Auvergnat Romanesque style. The tomb of Sainte Therence is located outside at the eastern end of the choir of the Sainte-Thérence church.

There is free parking at the Château de l'Ours; a small path then continues on foot. From Sainte-Thérence, a more challenging hike also leads to the Château de l'Ours and to a viewpoint overlooking the gorges of the Cher.

Landscape and Water

The Prat dam, built on the Cher in 1970, is a buttress dam and is used mainly for generating hydroelectric power. It forms a 27-hectare reservoir. The Prat reservoir is open to public fishing with a valid departmental fishing permit.

Nature

The grounds of the Château de l'Ours were designated a protected area in 1941 because of their characteristic vegetation. This includes boxwood growing on granite soil.

Events

The Nuits de la Chouette is held in Sainte-Thérence every two years. On 8 March 2025, the event included a public presentation about owls and a night-time walk to listen to the calls of owls and little owls.

Other places in the same selection: Monétay-sur-Allier, Saint-Gérand-Le-Puy, Isserpent, Autry-Issards, Saint-Germain-De-Salles, Vernusse, Boucé, Coutansouze.

To the higher-level travel overview: Allier.