The Cellars of Saint-Julien

From Champeix, we then discover, in Saint-Julien, the old Saint-Nectaire maturing cellars dug into the rock. Back through the site of the Marchidial de Champeix, one can only succumb to the temptation to infiltrate its pretty alleys.

Starting point - Starting sign on the square, rue des Halles, near the town hall. Go past the town hall, towards the bridge without crossing it, turn right and go up the Petite Rue Beauregard until you reach the road on the plateau.

1 - Turn left twice. Follow a wide path (view on the top of Champeix). We reach a sign (point of view on the Marchidial district). Continue, leaving two paths on the right (view of the castle of Montaigut-le-Blanc and the Sancy) and go down to a transverse path. Turn left and continue down to Saint-Julien by a hollow ochre path. Cross the stream and go up to the entrance of the village of Saint-Julien.

2 - In front of the municipal school turn left. Cross the Place de la Chapelle. Continue along rue des Granges and chemin des Caves (the entrances to the Saint-Julien cellars). Turn right on the road until the crossing with the D631. Turn left for 30 m and go down a small road towards the Montaigut-le-Blanc cemetery. Cross the bridge and go up rue de l'Église then turn left before the monumental gate (panoramic view from the church square) to go down to the D996.

3 - Cross the road and take the bridge over the Couze Chambon. Immediately turn left and walk along the right bank of the river for a long time. Then turn right until you reach the first houses. Turn left and go to the porch of the castle of Marchidial (gardens).

4 - Go down to the center of Champeix. Turn left to cross the metal bridge that leads back to the car park.