Ferrières-Saint-Mary: Hiking, Heritage and Nature

Discover Ferrières-Saint-Mary through its hiking trails, sacred architecture and artworks, and nature stops along the Alagnon. The routes on offer vary considerably in length and time required. There are also places where you can explore the history and landscape of the commune in your own way.

Hiking routes for different time frames and landscapes

La Chapeloune is a 3.5-kilometre blue circular trail that takes about an hour. It leads to chapel ruins hidden in the forests of the Côtes. The blue Les Gorges de la Bouzaire loop is six kilometres long and takes around two hours. It passes through a gorge and along a protected, moss-covered path. For a longer outing, the green circular trail on Mont Journal covers 12.5 kilometres and takes about four hours; the route reaches an elevation of 1,183 metres. The yellow Vallée de Valjouze loop is 10.5 kilometres long and is listed as taking about three hours and 40 minutes. It passes through wooded terrain with a variety of tree species.

In terms of time, these circular trails range from about one to roughly four hours. The estimates can help with planning but do not indicate current trail conditions. Conditions may change, so check them before setting out. You should also check the trail markers on site for the Mont Journal route.

Churches and religious heritage

Different building periods come together in the Church of Saint-Mary-le-Cros: the choir is Romanesque, while the nave was rebuilt in the 19th century. Wall paintings lie beneath the whitewash. The church, its cemetery and the mission cross have been listed as historic monuments since 7 December 1992. A wooden shrine, believed to be the sarcophagus of Saint Mary, is incorporated into the former 19th-century high altar.

The church can be visited free of charge every day throughout the year on request. From July to September, a guided tour is also available on Thursdays at 3 p.m. Arrange your visit and tour in advance. In the Church of Ferrières, an arm reliquary of Saint Mary dating from the 15th century is on public display in a secure case; the display may change.

The Chaire de Saint Mary is a basalt block shaped like an armchair. Fingerprints can be seen on its armrests, and traditional religious beliefs are associated with the site. Near the village of Lachaud stands the Fontaine Saint-Austremoine, a vaulted stone spring built in the Merovingian architectural style in the 5th or 6th century. There is also a shaded picnic table for visitors.

The Alagnon, Mont Journal and the Via Arverna

The Alagnon nature trail runs through a riparian forest in the Natura 2000 zone, between the area with tourist accommodation and the centre of Ferrières. Four information panels cover the local fauna and flora and the dynamics of the Alagnon valley. More panels on the riverbank in Ferrières explain the river’s abundant fish life.

From Mont Journal, the panoramic view stretches across the Planèze de Saint-Flour, the Cézallier, the Margeride and the Monts du Cantal. There is an orientation table at the summit, with information panels there and near the Chaire de Saint Mary. The Via Arverna, a branch route of the Way of St James, crosses the entire commune. One stage starts at the Church of Ferrières-Saint-Mary and runs 22.9 kilometres to Neussargues-en-Pinatelle. It is classified as difficult, making it quite different from the shorter circular hikes.

Activities and events

The outdoor escape game “Les secrets de l’Ermite de Ferrières” combines heritage discovery with the natural surroundings. Check availability before your trip. The “Fête du cidre et de la pomme” (Cider and Apple Festival) is also part of Ferrières-Saint-Mary’s annual calendar: it takes place every year on the third weekend in October, though the exact dates may vary.

At Ferme du Mont Journal, farm tours featuring Aubrac cattle and pigs kept on straw are available by reservation, followed by a tasting. Visits are scheduled for Mondays at 2:30 p.m. in July and August. Arrange your reservation and visit time in advance. Farm-gate sales are available by appointment from Monday to Saturday.

Discover more destinations: Lanobre, Antignac, Montgreleix, Naucelles, Landeyrat, Boisset, Carlat, Saint-Étienne-De-Chomeil.

For the broader travel overview: Cantal.