Discover Barrais-Bussolles

Barrais-Bussolles brings together two different focal points for trip planning: the valleys of the Hautes-Terres and a cultural and historical heritage of ruins, former road connections, and buildings from various periods. In Barrais-Bussolles, you can shape your trip around the landscape, architectural history, or a particular route or farm visit option.

Landscape of the Hautes-Terres

In the Hautes-Terres, Barrais-Bussolles stretches across valleys at elevations ranging from 300 to 512 m. Numerous streams drain the valleys and flow into the Besbre. Both the terrain and the waterways are therefore central to planning around the landscape: the elevations describe the altitude, while the Besbre defines how the valleys drain. If, when choosing a destination, you want to prioritize a landscape rather than a single building, these features offer a specific point of reference.

Ruins and historic road connections

The ruins of Château de Montjournal date from the 12th to the 17th century. They stand on a hill in the Bois de Clavel, overlooking the Têche. This historic site thus combines a long span of time with a precisely identified location in the landscape. If you are interested in architectural history, you can make these ruins a focus in their own right, alongside the churches and the Tour Pourçain.

The Tour Pourçain stands on the former Roman road that connected Auvergne and Burgundy. Historically, it also protected the road from Autun to Clermont. The Chapelle de la Tour Pourçain was a fortified house that was converted into a chapel in 1926. It was listed as a historic monument by decree on September 22, 1937. This makes it possible to distinguish chronologically between the building’s conversion and its later listing.

Architecture of the Église Saint-Julien

The Église Saint-Julien offers a comparison between two clearly distinct periods and a specific design detail. The choir dates from the late 14th century and is in the Flamboyant Gothic style. An 11th-century holy water stoup has an octagonal basin resting on an octagonal stem. The dates make the time gap between the choir and the furnishings clear, while the double octagonal form describes the basin’s design. The term Flamboyant Gothic places the choir within a late Gothic style.

Route and farm visit

The route description for the Circuit du Bois Bouquet, updated in January 2025, follows a descending path to Montjournal and continues as far as the Bussolles mill, which is privately owned. Before setting out, check the current route and respect the boundaries of the private property. This ensures that both the route description and the private ownership situation are taken into account when planning.

Another option is the Ferme de la Chassaigne, where products are sold directly and farm visits are offered. As arrangements for farm visits may change, check the current details directly with the farm in advance. This offer differs from the historic buildings: it combines a visit with direct sales and the option of a farm visit, while the Tour Pourçain and the churches mainly offer historical and architectural themes.

Discover more destinations: Coulandon, La Ferté-Hauterive, Laprugne, Voussac, Boucé, Mazirat, Le Veurdre, Neure.

For the broader travel overview: Allier.