Old Brioude

Village with a wine tradition

Perched on a rocky outcrop, Vieille-Brioude opens the doors to the Haut-Allier gorges and watches the river soar through Limagne. For a long time, the man settled on the territory of this commune. The dolmens of Quatre Roches and Sauvagnat bear direct witness to this remote period.

Thanks to its sunny hillsides, Vieille-Brioude experienced a flourishing viticulture. Thus, from the High Middle Ages, this town was the main wine-growing center of Brivadois. But phylloxera, mildew and the departure of many men to the front during the First World War got the better of the vines. However, the hills still bear the traces of this culture: terraces (pailhàs), winegrower's huts. The winegrowers' houses are also filters for reading this rich agricultural past. the  vine garden museum invites you to discover the wine history of Haut-Allier.

The religious heritage is also interesting: the XNUMXth century St Vincent church and its treasure, the former XNUMXth century Leprosarium (private property), the Védrines cross (XNUMXth century) representing the crucifixion of Christ.

The civil buildings are also to be discovered: the bridge which crosses the Allier (XNUMXth century) on which you will have a magnificent view, the aqueduct bridge of Vayron which made it possible to supply drinking water to the town of Brioude, the bridge of XNUMXth century which crosses the Senouire near the former Leprosarium.