History and culture

History and culture

Prehistoric Allier

Once upon a time... 33,000 years ago...
The Grotte des Fées near the town of Châtelperron revealed its hidden treasures to the world in 1867 when the railway was built. Several hundred flint tools, bones and mammoth tusks more than 2 metres long prove that the site was the Silicon Valley of its day… 33,000 years ago. The last Neanderthals lived in this cavernous area. Near the site of these discoveries, Prehistorama presents the life of these men from the Upper Palaeolithic period with a series of scale models and innovative audiovisual displays. Thanks to the work of Alain Morala, experimental palaeontologist, numerous flint tools are presented along with videos showing how they were made.

Home of the Bourbons

The Allier is an area whose history is intimately interwoven with the sires and dukes of the House of Bourbon. The strategic location of their province assured them of the good graces of the Kings of France for more than 5 centuries. In those times, the Bourbonnais guaranteed the security of the Kingdom of France against the English Aquitaine and the Duchy of Burgundy. This powerful position was lost when Francis I confiscated the land in 1531. In a twist of fate, Henry IV would enable the Bourbons to ascend to the throne of France a few years later.
8 French kings were of Bourbon lineage: Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X.

More than 500 castles and manor houses

The Allier has preserved many of the boundaries of the former Bourbonnais province. Because of its defensive position, it is filled today with old keeps, medieval fortresses, castles, and manor houses…More than 500 castles and manor houses are dotted around the Allier countryside. Among them, around sixty are open to the public. Ask for the map of Bourbonnais castles in the brochure section.

Souvigny, daughter of Cluny

The land of Souvigny was donated by Aymard, a Bourbon Lord, to the Cluniac monks to build a monastery. Two of the first five abbots of Cluny, Majolus and Odilo, passed away at Souvigny and were later canonised, which attracted numerous pilgrims to the site.

The tomb of the two saint abbots was discovered in the crypt of the priory church in 2001 and is now exhibited in the adjoining museum. The church also houses the necropolis of the Bourbon dukes.

Religious heritage – Romanesque art

Romanesque churches, which are still quite numerous in the Allier, have architectural features and decorations that were influenced by styles in the neighbouring Auvergne, Berry and Burgundy regions.

Buildings entirely representative of one of the three influences are quite rare. Châtel-Montagne, Veauce and Chantelle are models of the Auvergnat style, while the church of Huriel is an example of Berrichon influences. As for the Burgundy style, the priory of Souvigny represents a real incursion in the Auvergne region. Elsewhere throughout the Allier, Romanesque churches combine architectural details and decorations inspired by different styles and each one has its own unique character.

The 19th century : Napoleon III holidays in Vichy

When the Emperor and his court became interested in the “queen of spas”, huge construction projects were undertaken, transforming the city: a 13-hectare English garden on the banks of the River Allier was created behind a levee. New lavish buildings sprung up as well as a casino…everything to entertain these illustrious guests during their stay.
The town has preserved this lively atmosphere and has a year round programme of festivities.

The 19th century and the industrial revolution

This industrial revolution was particularly spectacular in the west of the department, in the area of Montluçon–Commentry where the population doubled in one century. Workers were drawn to the coal mines, forges, glassworks and other industries. With the opening of the Berry canal, iron ore was carried to Montluçon and the steel industry developed. Today, the Montluçon area is still home to cutting-edge industries and in particular Dunlop tyres, established in the town since 1920.

The 20th century : war and occupation

The Allier was at the heart of these troubled times. The armistice signed at Rethondes in 1940 made provision for a zone known as “free” France, which covered the southern, half of the country. The boundary line went through the Allier department and the centre of Moulins.
After considering Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon and Marseille, the town of Vichy was finally chosen as the seat of the new government. Several issues convinced Marshal Pétain and Prime Minister Pierre Laval: a convenient link with Paris, proximity of the boundary line, a sparsely populated town used to hosting public figures, a large number of hotel rooms and, above all, modern telephone lines.

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