OLMET, THIERS, NOIRETABLE AND SURROUNDING AREA

Discover Olmet: A Picturesque Village in the Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Located in the Puy-de-Dôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Olmet is a charming village known for its authentic atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. Home to 168 residents, known as Olmetois, this village offers a peaceful living environment amidst well-preserved natural surroundings.

Climate:

Olmet enjoys a warm temperate climate with no dry season and mild summers.

Health Services:

• Doctor: Augerolles (4 km)
• Dentist: Vertolaye (9.2 km)
• Nurse: Augerolles (3.1 km)
• Pharmacy: Augerolles (3.7 km)
• Emergency services: Thiers (19.1 km)

Local Shops:

• Hypermarket: Thiers (18.1 km)
• Supermarket: Courpière (10.8 km)
• Grocery Store: Augerolles (3.6 km)
• Bakery: Augerolles (3.2 km)
• Gas Station: Courpière (9.9 km)
• Post Office: Olliergues (5.1 km)

Education:

• Nursery: Marat (6.7 km)
• Kindergarten: Augerolles (3.4 km)
• Primary School: Augerolles (3.4 km)
• Middle School: Olliergues (5 km)
• High School: Courpière (11.2 km)

Real Estate:

In Olmet, most residents live in detached houses, with a high percentage owning their homes. The majority of properties are older, with 76% built before 1971. The homes are typically spacious, with 68% having 4 or more rooms, making them ideal for families or those seeking larger living spaces. Additionally, many of the properties are used as second homes, reflecting the village's appeal for those looking for a peaceful retreat.

Cultural Events:

Olmet is home to the dynamic La Faye Association, which organizes a wide range of cultural and leisure activities. These include art workshops, movie nights, concerts, nature walks, and even language learning trips. Managed by passionate volunteers, the association fosters a warm and inspiring environment for the local community, enriching the cultural and social life of the area.

Historical Heritage:

One of the key attractions in Olmet is the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, a listed historical monument. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, the church is home to stunning artworks, including five monumental paintings by Léon Boudal and Francisque Moulette, first displayed in 2014. Art and history enthusiasts will enjoy discovering this treasure at the heart of the village.

Explore the Surrounding Areas:

The scenic surroundings of Olmet offer an ideal setting for outdoor exploration, blending natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage.

For more information, visit the Olmet village website.

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Discover Thiers: A Historic City in Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Located in the Puy-de-Dôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Thiers is a vibrant town with a population of 11,633, known as the Thiernois. Part of the Thiers Dore et Montagne community, Thiers is renowned for its rich historical and artisan heritage. The town's postal code is 63300.

Strategic Transport Links:

Thiers is situated at a key crossroads between Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, and Lyon, making it a dynamic hub on the border between the Limagne plains and the Forez mountains. Its location allows for easy access to major French cities: 135 km from Lyon, 107 km from Saint-Étienne, 42 km from Clermont-Ferrand, 421 km from Bordeaux, and 392 km from Paris.

Healthcare:

The Thiers Hospital Center, established in 1988, is a critical health facility in the region with 428 beds and over 600 staff members. It collaborates with the Ambert Hospital to provide comprehensive care across the Thiers-Ambert area. Key healthcare providers in the town include:

• Doctors: 9
• Dentists: 5
• Nurses: 14
• Pharmacies: 5
• Emergency services: 1

Shopping and Commerce:

Thiers boasts 30 stores and boutiques, a shopping gallery, and supermarkets offering all essential services for residents and visitors.

Education:

• Nursery schools: 1
• Kindergartens: 8
• Primary schools: 8
• Middle schools: 2
• High schools: 2

Cultural Events:

Thiers hosts a variety of cultural festivals throughout the year:

• Pamparina Festival: A vibrant music festival in early July featuring diverse performances in an open-air setting.
• Cultural Season "Terre de Culture": Starting in September, this season-long event offers artistic and cultural experiences for audiences of all ages.
• Rencontres Arioso Summer Festival: A collaboration with the Conservatoire Georges Guillot, showcasing concerts and emerging musical talent.
• Le Moulin Bleu: A renowned cabaret music hall, blending classic French cuisine with captivating shows.

Sports and Leisure:

The Iloa Leisure Center, part of a Natura 2000 zone, provides a natural haven for visitors with activities such as swimming, aqua gym, and aqua biking. Thiers also offers various sports facilities, including soccer and tennis teams, a sports complex, and an equestrian center.

Economy and Connectivity:

Thiers is a thriving economic hub with 1,505 businesses, and it's famously known as the French capital of cutlery. The town has excellent fiber optic coverage, with approximately 80% of households connected.

Real Estate in Thiers:

The real estate market in Thiers is composed of 56.8% houses and 43.2% apartments, with 43.7% of residents renting. 32.6% of properties have five or more rooms, making it a great destination for families. The median income in Thiers is €19,010.

Climate:

Thiers enjoys a temperate climate with an annual average temperature of 10°C. Winter temperatures drop to 4.9°C, while summers average around 15.2°C. The town experiences 145 rainy days per year, with 1232 mm of precipitation. Thiers receives around 1938 hours of sunshine annually.

Tourist Attractions:

In addition to its urban parks, Thiers boasts several castles with beautiful landscaped gardens. A must-visit is the Creux de l’Enfer, a contemporary art museum housed in an old factory, listed among the top 10 sites in the region.

Thiers is also surrounded by charming neighboring towns like Orléat, La Monnerie-le-Montel, Vollore-Ville, and Courpière, offering scenic views and enriching your experience of the region.

For more information, visit Auvergne Destination or the Thiers City website.

Discover Noirétable: A Scenic Commune in the Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Noirétable is a picturesque commune in the Loire department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, located 24 km east of Thiers and 43 km northwest of Montbrison. Its proximity to the A72 highway, connecting Clermont-Ferrand to Saint-Étienne, makes it easily accessible via Exit 4, just 5 km south of the town.

Strategic Location:

Noirétable is positioned along the D1089 departmental road, previously known as the N89, which historically connected Lyon to Bordeaux. This strategic location places Noirétable between two significant towns: Thiers to the west and Feurs, 44 km to the southeast.

Natural and Ecological Riches:

In 2010, a study by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) classified Noirétable’s climate as a mountain fringe climate. Météo-France updated the classification in 2020, placing Noirétable in a mountain climate zone, within the Northeast Massif Central region, characterized by 800 to 1,200 mm of evenly distributed annual rainfall.

Between 1971 and 2000, the area had an average temperature of 9.5°C, with an annual rainfall of 1,017 mm. More recent data from 1991 to 2020 recorded by the nearby Col de la Loge weather station shows a lower average annual temperature of 7.2°C and higher precipitation levels at 1,273.4 mm per year.

Healthcare Services:

• Doctors: 5
• Dentists: 4
• Nurses: 3
• Pharmacies: 2
• Emergency services: Available in nearby Thiers or Montbrison.

Shopping and Amenities:

• Supermarket: 1
• Bakery: 2
• Butcher: 1
• Veterinarian: 1
• Post Office: 1
• Bank: 2
• Hairdresser: 3
• Restaurants: 3 (including 1 Casino)

Education:

• Preschools: 2
• Primary schools: 2
• Middle school: 1
• High school: 1 (general, technological, and agricultural programs)

Real Estate:

Out of the 717 residential properties in Noirétable, 491 households are homeowners, representing a 68% ownership rate. This rate has slightly declined from 69% over the last five years.

Cultural Events and Traditions:

Noirétable hosts numerous traditional and popular festivals year-round, bringing together locals and visitors for community celebrations during all seasons.

Historic Pilgrimage Site: L'Ermitage

L'Ermitage, established near a miraculous fountain, has been a pilgrimage site since 1288, drawing worshippers from Auvergne, particularly from Thiers and the Dore Valley. The site has been managed by various religious orders over the centuries, including the Sulpicians, Benedictines, Franciscans, and the Missionaries of La Salette since 1889.

Surrounding Villages:

Noirétable is surrounded by several charming communes such as Chabreloche, Cervières, Les Salles, Viscomtat, Vétré-sur-Anzon, Vollore-Montagne, La Chamba, and Saint-Jean-la-Vêtre. These neighboring towns add to the beauty and appeal of the region, offering stunning landscapes and opportunities for exploration.