Don't miss out on Moulins & its surroundings
In this article we take to the discovery of Moulins through 10 essentials and good addresses: whether it is in Moulins itself but also in its surroundings, ideas of things to see, to do and to taste to guide you in the discovery of this chief place of the department of Allier.
Moulin is one of those nice corners of France classified Remarkable Sites and Cities and labeled « Country of Art and History ». The city was discovered one morning by bike: the air was fresh and soft, the cafes were starting to set up their terrace, some residents were walking quietly hand-wound, often saluting and pretending to know each other well. We were charmed by the aesthetics of the facades of the eras, by the incredible heritage discovered at every corner of the street, and by these guides, passers-by, traders, restaurateurs... Who know more than anything about the beauty and richness of what to conserve Moulins. Are we talking about the things unique to the world that we discovered around here? Come on, let's talk about it a little further in this article.
WHAT YOU FIND IN THIS ARTICLE
→ 2 minutes to discover Moulins in video
→ Visiting ideas: what to do & what to see in Moulins in 10 essentials.
→ Surroundings: ideas to discover the surroundings of Moulins at max 45mn.
→ Good addresses: guest rooms, restaurants, tastings, producers... Mills and its surroundings.
> 2 minutes to discover Moulins in video
> Mills, 10 must-sees during the visit to this City of Art & D History:
1. Allier Square
What if we start with this pretty place? A nice introduction to an immersion in the city of Moulins, Place d'Allier owes its elongated shape to the tournaments (joules) that took place here in medieval times. Today we find the Church of the Sacred Heart and also a whole bunch of bars, restaurants, terraces. The place is very alive in the day as in the evening. This is where the weekly market (on Fridays) is located and it is also where one of our favorite restaurants is located... See you at number 10 of those unmanageable! From the church through the fountain, we went up this square to discover the pretty streets of the historic centre.
2. The iconic bell tower of Moulins: the Jacquemart
Built in 1455, it stands proudly on the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville. The inhabitants of Moulins are proud of it, we understand why! Every quarter hour, you will be able to watch his show: the 4 characters (in human size: the father, mother and two children of the Jacquemart family) simmer to make ring the bell of the belfry. The watchmen used to ride there to watch the scene. Today this bell tower is visited, it is the ideal place to get up on the city.
Guided tour. Contact the Heritage Service: 04 70 48 01 36 or just town Here.
3. Rue des Orfèvres
Doesn't it sound like a name from the Harry Potter saga?
This street could appear in the same way as the Way of Traverse! Close and lined with high medieval houses of 2 or 3 floors in corbellation, its aesthetics and the fact that it is the link between several emblematic places make it for us THE alley of the historic center. Located just behind the Jacquemart, the beautiful and mysterious rue des Orfèvres overlooks one side on a magnificent traditional facade (oakwood frame and era corbellation); and the other on the splendid Notre-Dame-de-l'Annunciation Cathedral.
4. Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral
Hard to miss this flamboyant Gothic church: like the Jacquemart, it is a landmark in the city. Whether it is in the historic centre of Moulins or on the banks, on the other side of the Allier, its two white arrows are proudly over red roofs. Its most recent part (the nave and the two bell towers) alternate white limestone glowing and Volvic black lava stone. It is located in Place de la Déportation. To see inside: splendid stained glass windows, Black Virgin and triptych of the master of Moulins, masterpiece over 500 years old.
Cathedral open all year round, more information on schedules Here. Possibility of commented visit Tryptic.
5. Visitation Museum
Discreet, you can't imagine everything he hides behind the entrance to the Visitation Museum. Sublime, the interior courtyard of the period and its staircase plunge us into the atmosphere! Thanks to them, we travel between the various spaces: vault, rooms, gallery, workshop, cabinet... Who immerse us in the daily life of the monasteries of the nuns of the Order of Visitation. Welcome to the kingdom of patience, sweetness and dexterity: the collections of decorative art objects and works are of striking finesse. A guided tour is a big plus to discover these 10,000 objects of any kind.
Practical information, schedules and prices just Here.
We also like the location of this museum: nestled between Rue des Orfèvres and the Cathedral, it overlooks the small square of the Old Palace. In the evening, tables and chairs are installed between the few decorative plants and a joyous animation reigns: here we trinque and discuss, surrounded by beautiful facades of white stone lit.
♥ 6. La Maison Mantin, Trésor de Moulins
It's our favourite in Moulins. Mantin House, attached to Anne de Beaujeu Museum, is located on the unmissable Place de la Déportation, where the cathedral is also located (here once stood the prestigious palace of the dukes of bourbon and its courtyard still materialized by green spaces today). This House full of curiosities is only discovered on guided tour (and it's so much better!). After « ambiance » The guide explains the history of this house built from 1893 to 1897 and of its owner, Louis Mantin, in an airlock where there is a soft darkness. Then a new door opens and... Immerse us in an experience out of time.
Zoom on the Mantin House Experience. Imagine: a rich house whose entire interior has remained as it was since 1905, the year of the death of Louis Mantin, its owner. How is this possible? Thanks to the last wish of Louis Mantin: that all of his house, up to the least object placed in each room, be kept in the state so that 100 years later, we, the people « of the future », can find out what a 19th century bourgeois house looked like. And it's successful: more than just a visit, it's a real jump in time as soon as you get inside. Following a guide through the three floors, rooms, corridors, it is as if we were offered the opportunity to travel in the past for 1 hour by asking absolutely all the questions that go through our heads (and having the answers!). In a way, the experience made us think of an escape game!
7. The « Evil Hairstyle », or Castle of the Dukes of Bourbons
With the Cathedral, Mantin House and the Anne de Beaujeu Museum, this emblematic monument ends up closing the Place de la Déportation. The visit to this historic building is divided into two themes. On one side, its dark past: located on the border of the area occupied during World War II, the place was once a German prison for deportees. The discovery of the cachots is striking, as are the inscriptions scratched on the walls by the detenu.e.s struggling for their liberation. And the other side, entering the dungeon: the light and the fascists of the Dukes of Bourbon. More info just Here.
We love the words of Farid, guide to Evil Hairdressing: « The Evil Hairstyle is a concentrate of the history of Moulins and Bourbonnais in one building. The ducal castle is the witness of more than 600 years of history, its walls sweat multiple stories over different periods, all visitors come to be affected, whether Bourbonnais or foreigners. The Evil Hairdresser knew what man can do best of the time of the splendor of the Dukes of Bourbon when she was the proud dungeon of their immense ducal palace. But she also knew what the man could do worse, with her 200 years in prison and especially when she was the gloomy and dark German military prison under the yoke of Gestapo and Militia during World War II. ».
8. The National Centre for Scene Costume
We leave the historic centre to reach the other bank of the Allier: installed in an immense military barracks of the 18th century, the prestigious Centre National du Costume de Scène revives the costumes of the Comédie Française, the Opéra de Paris and the Bibliothèque de France. A staircase of white, colossal and majestic stones (which moreover led to the classification of the building as « Historic Monument », the rescuer of demolition) serves two spaces : l'un permanent, dedicated to Rudolf Noureev ; The other temporary (Rio Carnival, operas, fairy tales... depending on the period).
Open daily from 10am to 6pm (6.30pm in July and August), from 2pm to 6pm during the period between two exhibitions. More info and rates Here.
9. The Iron Bridge and the banks of the Allier
Don't miss making this little detour to walk or cycle on one side or the other of the Allier: the river banks lead to the Iron Bridge, an old railway that is rehabilitated exclusively for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles! Esplanades were designed to take the time to admire the beautiful view of Moulins. One of the platforms is even made of a glass floor to see water spun under our feet, guaranteed sensations! At the end of the bridge, there is a playful area where you can access a hanging net via a staircase for fun or relaxation. In general, at sunset, the atmosphere is soft and the banks of the Allier, whether the Iron Bridge or its small beaches, are pleasant.
10. The Grand Café
This must-have is also one of our best addresses, and not the least: it is considered one of the most beautiful cafés-restaurants in France! Not only is it a more than pleasant place to come for a coffee, lunch or dinner (tested lunch and more than approved) but also its decor is definitely worth a visit! See you in the middle of Allier Square: when you enter the Grand Café, you switch to another era! Its stunning decor consisting of a high ceiling sometimes painted or glazed, its carved arches and its games of mirrors inspired several films and we understand why. We would gladly go back there, even for a coffee / tea break between two discoveries!
As part of the Inventory of Historic Monuments, he retained his 1899 decoration. To be found at 49, Place d'Allier, Moulins.
> The surroundings : to see / do around Moulins
Come on, let's go! On the programme: the open air and the calm and sweetness of the countryside, medieval villages and beautiful castles as a bonus! In the middle of the landscape, unusual places emerge. Sometimes unique, they prove that the surroundings of Moulins reserve many surprises.
45 minutes from Moulins: Street Art City.
Welcome to Street Art City! We're in Lurcy-Lévis, 45 minutes from Moulins. This incredible place is the only artistic residence in the world entirely dedicated to urban pictorial art: street art! It all starts on January 22, 2015: then on the move, Gilles receives a message from his wife about the huge site (old wasteland industrial area) they own. As she walked around, she had a flash and suddenly saw all the colored buildings! She wrote to Gilles: « Go home, I know what we're gonna do! ». Was born then the idea of Street Art City Today, it is no less than 22,500m2 where artists from all over the world come to express their talents. An incredible variety of styles and techniques for a stunning immersion in the heart of monumental works that make you forget the seconds, minutes, hours... Time.
Zoom in on Hotel128: The exceptional immersive experience of Street Art City. Street art city, these are strolls in a « village » outside, galleries... But also a disused hotel: we loved this experience! A corridor leads to the entrance to the hotel, a large building of 3 floors and 128 rooms. There we grab a front lamp and experience begins: according to our desires, we sink into the long dark corridors or climb the stairs. All room doors are closed. It's up to us to open them to get caught up in what we discover: each room immerses us in the world – in the head – of an artist. Dreamy and luminous atmosphere, dark and organic, golden, red, jungle, labyrinthic or message... You can spend the day and get lost in this hotel during this immersive experience as you have seen nowhere else.
20 minutes from Moulins, Souvigny.
In a few minutes' drive (20mn from Moulins or 30mn from Street Art City), it's like a jump between the atmospheres and the eras. Souvigny, « Sanctuary of Peace », makes us forget again the time. Here, the splendid heritage mixes with peaceful gardens to make souls vibrate with all the spiritual strength of this important place of pilgrimage. Our advice: do not hesitate to spend a morning or afternoon in this beautiful medieval village. Located on the roads of Compostelle (GR300), Souvigny, in addition to its pretty alleyways, has an exceptional prioral set: the church Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul and the gardens of the priory accessible by the museum of Souvigny. We enjoyed strolling around the beautiful gardens, discovering the cloister, the church, letting ourselves be carried by the magic of the stained glass lights, wandering through the alleys... And pass the arch of the « Portery ». This leads to the gardens of guest rooms of the same name (free access). A sweet invitation to a resting parenthesis in the middle of flowers, benches, trees and pretty alleys.
Tariff: 4€ for a free visit of the museum and gardens. Opening hours and days available Here.
> Good addresses of Moulins and surroundings
Accommodation: charming guest rooms in the countryside close to Moulins
- ♥ The Great Pottery in Coulandon.
How can we not have a crush on these guest rooms? Jean-Claude made it a real bubble of calm near Moulins. On the menu: beautiful building tastefully renovated, charming rooms, comfort without equal, green estate, swimming pool lined with flowers... And an exceptional host table! We tasted among our best meals and discovered specialties of the region that our taste buds will not forget so soon. The whole is sprinkled with the kindness and benevolence of Jean-Claude, for a final result that makes... We just want to spend time in this place!
Restaurant: the good tables around which to satisfy / gather
- The Ormes Inn in Limoise: We enjoyed taking a lunch break in this little hostel not very far from street art city. The menu of the day is an excellent value for money, the products are fresh and tasty... And as a bonus, we found original (and delicious) vegetarian dishes! Large parking and small village very quiet in the countryside, ideal for a break.
- The Little Hostel Mills: We enjoyed it in this restaurant near the historic centre. How to say... Everything from starter to dessert was excellent. The smiles and dynamism of the entire team have ended up perfecting our experience in this good Moulins address!
- ♥ The Grand Café Mills: We've already talked about it above, this good address is also one of our unmanageable Moulins! We go there to discover its stunning period decor, we go back there for its atmosphere, its cuisine and its great menu of the day! Ideal for a coffee/tea during a break in the morning or for a lunch meal that deliciously fills the stomachs, without emptying the purse. It's one of our favorites.
- The Air Bull Mills: another (very) good address of Moulins. Here, a change of atmosphere: we leave the brewery for the gastronomic. The slightest bite is an explosion of flavors and you feel that the chef and the team attach great importance to the quality of the products. An excellent address to have a good time and enjoy yourself with refined cuisine.
Producer: tastings and local products... Directly to the estate!
- The Field Guardian Besson. Where the wine tradition and the love of the vine make sense! With his father, Thomas today perpetuates what his great great grandfather had begun almost 100 years ago. The Domaine Gardien is a family vineyard of 24 hectares located on the slopes of the Allier, the Sioule and the Bouble. Here, the Saint-Pourçain, considered to be one of the oldest vineyards in France, was a beautiful place. In a craft way, Thomas and his family cares for vineyards, crops, winemaking... Until bottling, on the estate! We had a very good time with him, discovering his vineyards, his estate and his wines... Wine tasting under the last rays of the sun in the quiet of this beautiful estate near Besson is not to be missed.
Visit & tasting: information at 04 70 42 80 11by e-mail: contact@domainegardien.fr. Point of sale in the domain. Open every day from 8am to 12pm and from 2pm to 7pm except Sundays and public holidays.
The discovery of Moulins is over!
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