Vals-le-Chastel (15th-century tempera paintings)
Around 1460, the plague struck the area around Brioude. Spared by the epidemic, the lords of Cumignat commissioned a painted decoration for their manor chapel in Vals-le-Chastel. Jean du Crozet, one of the patrons, had himself depicted on the south wall alongside his patron saint, John the Evangelist, and an image of Christ. In a scroll, the texts 'Miserere nobis' ("have mercy on us") and 'Deo Gratias' ("thanks be to God") indicate the votive function of the tempera painting.
On the west wall, a Virgin with a mantle, typical of the protective figure, watches over the different orders of society of the time: pope, cardinal, abbot, emperor, king, dignitary...
On the vault are several angels unfurling scrolls. Saints such as Veronica, Anthony, and Adrian are also present, who are invoked against sudden death, contagious diseases, and the plague.
Topo / step by step
1. From the parking area in front of the town hall (13th-century church, former castle), cross the Doulon River. The road bends to the right. Turn left uphill between the houses. 2. At the crossroads, take the second path on the right, which runs alongside a fenced park. Continue on the main path through the undergrowth, then between the fields. Pass the first ruin (view over the Doulon Valley). At the second ruin, at the intersection, turn left uphill. Reach the Aubagnat crossroads (public bench). Cross the forest road and continue straight ahead. 3. At the hamlet, turn immediately right. At the junction of the tracks, turn right uphill, then follow the left fork at the next junction. Stay on the main track, continuing straight ahead, ignoring the side paths, until you see the first houses of La Baraque (view of the Livradois mountains). 4. Take the path on the right, pass under the buildings, and continue below the road. After the stream, turn left twice. At the road, turn right, following the power line, and descend to reach the D56. Take it to the left and continue to Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon (bar, restaurant). 5. In the village, descend to the right, pass the church, and cross the bridge. Then turn right, and in front of the guesthouse, follow the track on the left that climbs steeply. Cross a stream, and after a small rise, turn left. Stay on the main path through the woods, then along the fields to reach Moissac-Bas. 6. At the first houses, turn right once, then again at the fork. Leave the village, and when you see a farm, turn left to go around the Moissac-Bas pond. Rejoin the road, follow it to the left, and continue to Le Vialard. 7. In the hamlet, turn left then right onto the steep path (view over the Doulon valley). Leave the village and descend to a point overlooking the river. Continue on the main track to reach Bousseyrolles. 8. Pass the isolated houses and take the D581 to the right. Shortly before the road bridge, take the path on the left that overlooks the road and the river. This path leads back to Vals-le-Chastel. In the village, go straight ahead to return to the starting point.
