La Roche-Noire lies at the foot of a high basalt cliff riddled with caves. From the town centre and the plateau above it, there are views across the Allier Valley to the Chaîne des Puys and the Monts Dore.
Anyone choosing La Roche-Noire as a holiday destination will want to rent a holiday apartment.
Culture
The church of La Roche-Noire is a renovated former castle chapel dating from the 12th century and contains a carved and gilded altarpiece from the 17th century. At the site of the MAIA company, a stone from a walnut oil press is also listed as a heritage element to be protected.
Nature
The Écopôle du Val d’Allier covers 140 hectares, including 30 hectares of water areas, in the municipalities of Pérignat-ès-Allier and La Roche-Noire. There are three signposted walking trails that are freely accessible year-round: the Sentier du Milan, the Sentier des Étangs and the Sentier de l’Allier. More than 227 bird species have been recorded at the Écopôle du Val d’Allier.
At the Étang du Pacage, there is a discovery trail with two observation hides and information panels. The pond is home to several hundred bird species, including black kites, cormorants and grey herons.
Walking Routes and Activities
The Balcons du Val d’Allier walking loop runs around La Roche-Noire and connects the banks of the Allier, the Plateau de la Planèze, the old town centre, woodland and vineyards. The loop is 5 km long, includes 250 metres of elevation gain and takes an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The Circuit de la Comté cycling route follows the Allier to La Roche-Noire. Fishing is possible at the 10-hectare Étang-sous-le-Torre for holders of a fishing permit; the site’s environmentally responsible rules must be observed. Canoes can be seen on the Allier at the Rives de l’Allier.
More local pages: Les Ancizes-Comps, Saint-Bonnet-Le-Chastel, Saint-Germain-l'Herm, Parentignat, Domaize, Naves, Vodable, Châteaugay
