An old fortified city protected by walls, Charroux stands at the crossroads of several Roman ways...

Charroux is the only village in the Allier department to be listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Visitors can take a walk in its narrow lanes, admire its 12th century church, its wells, pigeon houses, the old covered market, the Clock Tower, the Orient Gate, the Prince of Condé mansion and the Ladies’Courtyard. One can also visit the museum about the life and history of the village.

A stronghold of the Bourbonnais region, the village used to be protected by double walls. The outer wall has now disappeared. Only part of the inner wall remains (about 60 metres or 200 feet long) together with the Clock Tower, the orient Gate and another two towers. Visitors should go and see the 12th century church with its strange-looking truncated steeple as well as the belfry that stands next to it. It is also worth taking a walk in the Clock street and turning into the picturesque Street of the Henhouses to discover its ancient cobbles and central gutter. Along the way, one will come across an old well, beautiful medieval houses and many other points of interest...
More : charroux.com

Situated at an altitude of 413 metres (approximately 1300 feet) in the Allier departement, Charroux is a small village of about 320 inhabitants. It overlooks the surrounding plains and valleys and offers a wonderful view to the north on the Limagne plains, and to the south on the Auvergne mountain range. From the belvedere, the panorama over the Central Mountains (Le Massif Central) and many valleys is simply exceptional.