Discover Saint-Pardoux-Morterolles

Discover Saint-Pardoux-Morterolles through its landscapes and cultural heritage. Natural highlights include a tiered waterfall, a protected peat bog and several hiking trails. Church architecture, a chapel and the Grange Brodée add to the cultural offerings. You can decide which of these to focus on when planning your stay by considering the different landscapes and cultural attractions.

Natural landscapes and water

The Augerolles waterfall is about 15 metres high and divides into three successive tiers. The trail to the Augerolles cascades leads to the restored Augerolles mill. The water and the mill provide two specific landmarks along this route.

The peat bog at Étang du Bourdeau covers 39 hectares. It is part of the Natura 2000 network and is protected by a prefectural order safeguarding the biotope. The Champs de Pierres offer a different landscape feature: they are granite block formations created during the Ice Age. The natural landscape therefore ranges from water and peat bogs to striking rock formations.

Hiking trails with different highlights

Hiking Circuit No. 57, “Le Puy de Pétru,” is a moderately difficult, 14.2-kilometre circular trail starting in Saint-Pardoux-Morterolles. If you want to choose a route based on distance and difficulty, this information provides a concrete basis. Check route conditions and access information before setting out.

Hiking Circuit No. 56 focuses on a stream, cascades, forest and granite along the route: the trail follows a stream punctuated by cascades through the forest and over granite blocks formed during the Ice Age. The trail around Étang du Bourdeau starts and ends at the pond car park on the D8. The routes therefore differ, among other things, in whether distance, the scenery along the way or a named starting and ending point provides the main point of reference.

Churches and local cultural heritage

The church of Saint-Pardoux brings together architectural elements from several centuries: a Romanesque vaulted choir dating from the 12th century, a seigneurial chapel from the 13th century and a flamboyant-style bell tower from the 15th century. A rare baptismal font stands beside the entrance. The different construction periods and the distinctive baptismal font give the church several notable features.

The Saint-Gilles chapel, also known as Saint-Giry, lies northeast of Morterolles. During the time of the Hospitallers, it was an outpost of the church of Sainte-Anne in Morterolles. This historical connection is part of the chapel’s history; it describes a former ecclesiastical relationship, not a present-day function.

The Grange Brodée displays embroidery tools, pattern books and christening gowns, as well as a reconstruction of a rural interior. The craft objects and recreated interior offer different points of interest, showcasing both embroidery and the depiction of rural life.

Activities and trip planning

The Chant de pierres association organises monthly activities. These may include, for example, guided tours of museums or of unusual features of the local cultural heritage; such tours are examples of the programme, not necessarily the content of every monthly event. If you want to plan a particular activity, check the dates and topics before your trip.

You can organise the options according to your interests: the hiking trails offer different landscapes and landmarks, while the church, chapel and Grange Brodée provide different ways to explore the cultural heritage.

Discover more destinations: Faux-La-Montagne, Roches, Lioux-Les-Monges, Beissat, La Cellette, La Courtine, Bourganeuf, Nouzerines.

For the broader travel overview: Creuse.