Sprawling across the fertile plains of the Petites Limagnes, Issoire is a historic town with origins that go back to at least Roman times. It suffered significantly during the religious wars of the Reformation, with the Protestants capturing the town in 1574 before it was retaken by the Roman Catholics three years later.
Things to do in Issoire
In the heart of Issoire is the Abbatiale Saint Austremoine, a Romanesque-style abbey church that dates back to the 12th century. It is considered one of the most remarkable buildings in the Auvergne region and has been classified as a Monument Historique. Marvel at the mosaics and geometric patterns that decorate the church’s exterior before stepping inside to see the brightly coloured frescoes and stained-glass windows.
Commissioned in the 15th century by Austremoine and Antoine Bohier is Issoire’s beautiful Clock Tower, which was designed as both a town hall and a watch tower. It houses changing exhibitions on various regional themes and offers magnificent panoramas across Issoire, the Livradois Mountains and the jagged peak of the Puy de Sancy.
A short drive east of Issoire is the Château de Parentignat, an early-18th-century castle that houses an exceptional collection of paintings by French masters. Known as the Georges de Lastic Collection after the museum curator, art historian and collector, it includes paintings by Jean-Marc Nattier, Philippe de Champaigne and Nicolas de Largillierre.
Getting around Issoire
Issoire is around 30 minutes’ drive from Clermont-Ferrand and Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport, which has flights to destinations across France. The much larger Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport is 2.5 hours away. Inter-city trains connect to the Issoire railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Issoire can easily be explored on foot.