Ferrières-Saint-Mary: holiday apartments and holiday homes

Ferrières-Saint-Mary reveals several clearly distinct facets, reflected in its paths, culture, nature and local traditions.

When planning your own trip, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment in Ferrières-Saint-Mary.

Hiking

La Chapeloune is a 3.5 km blue circular hiking trail taking around one hour; it leads to the ruins of chapels hidden in the forests of the Côtes.

Les Gorges de la Bouzaire is a 6 km blue circular hiking trail taking around two hours through a gorge and along a protected, moss-covered path.

The Mont-Journal trail is a 12.5 km green circular hiking trail taking around four hours and reaching an altitude of 1,183 metres.

The Vallée de Valjouze is a 10.5 km yellow circular hiking trail taking around three hours and 40 minutes through wooded terrain with various tree species.

The Via Arverna stage from Ferrières-Saint-Mary to Neussargues-en-Pinatelle is 22.9 km long, classified as difficult, and starts at the church of Ferrières-Saint-Mary.

The Via Arverna, a branch route of the Way of St. James, crosses the entire municipality of Ferrières-Saint-Mary.

The Mont-Journal route is a hike of around 12 km, taking four hours, with 653 metres of elevation gain and green trail markings.

Culture

The church of Saint-Mary-le-Cros has a Romanesque choir, a nave rebuilt in the 19th century and wall paintings beneath the whitewash.

The church of Saint-Mary-le-Cros, including its cemetery and mission cross, has been listed as a historic monument since 7 December 1992.

In the church of Saint-Mary-le-Cros, a wooden shrine believed to be the sarcophagus of Saint Mary is integrated into the former 19th-century high altar.

A 15th-century reliquary arm of Saint Mary is publicly displayed in a secured display case in the church of Ferrières.

The Chaire de Saint Mary is a basalt block shaped like an armchair, with fingerprints on the armrests.

The Fontaine Saint-Austremoine near the village of Lachaud is a vaulted stone spring of Merovingian architecture dating from the 5th or 6th century; there is also a shaded picnic table for visitors on site.

The outdoor escape game “Les secrets de l’Ermite de Ferrières” combines the exploration of Ferrières-Saint-Mary’s cultural heritage with its natural surroundings.

The church of Saint-Mary-le-Cros can be visited free of charge every day throughout the year; visits are available on request, and guided tours are also offered at 3 p.m. on Thursdays from July to September.

Nature

The educational trail along the Alagnon River runs through a riparian forest between the tourist accommodation area and the centre of Ferrières, in the Natura 2000 zone; four panels provide information about the fauna, flora and dynamics of the Alagnon Valley.

Mont Journal offers panoramic views of the Planèze de Saint-Flour, the Cézallier, the Margeride and the Monts du Cantal.

At the summit of Mont Journal there is an orientation table, as well as information panels at the summit and near the Chaire de Saint Mary.

Along the banks of the Alagnon in Ferrières, panels provide information about the river’s abundance of fish.

Traditions

The “Fête du cidre et de la pomme” cider and apple festival takes place in Ferrières-Saint-Mary every year on the third weekend of October.

By reservation, the Ferme du Mont Journal offers farm tours featuring Aubrac cattle and pigs kept on straw, followed by a tasting.

The Ferme du Mont Journal offers direct sales from the farm by appointment from Monday to Saturday.

Other places: Marcenat, Beaulieu, Faverolles, Sansac-De-Marmiesse, Le Claux, Tournemire, Landeyrat, Trémouille

To the higher-level travel overview: Cantal.