Saint-Illide: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Saint-Illide is located on a plateau that forms the transition between the volcanic mountains to the east and the ancient crystalline highlands of Limousin to the west. Several rivers border this plateau. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Saint-Illide can focus their accommodation search on the town.

Culture

The choir of the church of Saint-Illide contains carved wooden choir stalls with painted back panels. They date from the last quarter of the 15th century and were transferred from the chapter of Saint-Chamant. The choir stalls are classified as a protected object; this protection was registered on 11 April 1902. The church itself is Romanesque and was extended in the 15th century. It was originally built as the chapel of a priory founded by the Abbey of Saint-Géraud d’Aurillac.

The Chapelle d'Albart is also part of the local architectural history. The Neo-Romanesque building has barrel vaults and windows with semicircular arches. The chapel was opened for worship in 1887; it originally served as a place of worship for the residents of the hospice. The Pont du Rouffet is a Gothic bridge built during the Hundred Years’ War. Its remains lie at the confluence of the Maronne and Etze rivers and were flooded when the Enchanet reservoir was filled.

The Foire du 1er Mai is a preserved traditional fair in Saint-Illide and remains on the municipality’s events calendar, including a livestock sale. The Saint-Illide railway station in Parieu-Bas welcomed its first passengers in 1897.

Nature

The Etze runs along the hamlet of Parieu-Bas in the municipality of Saint-Illide. The Etze Valley is characterised by rare species, including dragonflies and European otters.

Hiking and Cycling

The PR Le Bruel hiking trail is 7 kilometres long and is located in Saint-Illide. It starts at the church square and descends towards the Le Bruel farm. The trail is open daily all year round, provided that snow and weather conditions are favourable.

The hiking trail to the Rocher du Rouffet starts at the former Saint-Illide railway station in Parieu-Bas. It is 9 kilometres long, takes three hours, and has an elevation gain of 200 metres. The Saint-Illide mountain-biking area offers six routes ranging from 7 to 55 kilometres, with a total route length of 160 kilometres. Difficulty levels range from “family-friendly” to “expert”.

Other places: Saint-Urcize, Giou-De-Mamou, Saignes, Crandelles, Vic-Sur-Cère, Murat, Alleuze, Clavières.

To the overarching travel overview: Cantal.