| Details for Murol, a small mountain village in the | | | | mountains, such as Murol. |
| Puy de Dome region of the Auvergne | | | | Murol, situated on the banks of the 'Couze (river) |
| concentrating on its magnificent mediaeval castle | | | | de Chambon' at the bottom of the forested |
| and resident knights. | | | | Tartaret volcano, is a quiet but charming village |
| Copyright (c) 2008 Mary Smith | | | | and a good centre from which to take a number |
| Driving along the D5 road between the Col de la | | | | of excursions by car, by foot or bike using one of |
| Ventouse and Murol you will pass through some | | | | the numerous and well signposted paths |
| beautiful countryside as you head towards the | | | | surrounding the town. A number of reasonably |
| Sancy mountain range which rises in front of you | | | | priced self 'catering properties and small hotels are |
| after a few kilometres. Further on you are | | | | available in and around the town. |
| treated to the magnificent sight of the chateau of | | | | Murol is also home to the art gallery 'Musée des |
| Murol which appears ahead of and slightly below | | | | Peintures de L'Ecole de Murols', (open from 1st |
| you as you round a bend and start the winding | | | | June to 31st October from 10.00am - 12.00pm |
| descent into the town of Murol itself. This great | | | | and 2.30 - 6.30pm, entrance ¬3.50) officially |
| brown stone mediaeval castle is one of the finest | | | | classified as a 'Musée de France'. Situated at the |
| examples of 13th century military architecture in | | | | entrance to the 'Parc du Prélong' the gallery |
| France, standing on a basaltic outcrop overlooking | | | | exhibits impressionist paintings from several artists |
| the town. This elevated position commands | | | | who visited the region to paint at the beginning of |
| magnificent views from all sides (the summit of | | | | the 20th century, inspired by the magnificent |
| the main tower is at 950m) and would clearly | | | | scenery, and in particular by the attractive winter |
| have been a formidable structure for any invading | | | | landscapes. |
| army to try and penetrate. Since 1889 the | | | | Close to the gallery is a small cottage houses a |
| chateau has been classified as a 'monument | | | | collection of local artefacts from the Gallo |
| historique' by the French Ministry of Culture. | | | | Romains period (opening hours from 1st July to |
| Today, a group called 'les Paladins du Sancy' run | | | | 15th September 3.00 - 6.00pm). |
| the chateau and stage excellent authentic | | | | Bastille Day is one of the most important |
| demonstrations of mediaeval combat, weaponry | | | | celebrations in France and Murol, with its history |
| and horsemanship in the chateaus purpose built | | | | and traditions hosts one of the Puy de Domes |
| arena, which seats over 400 people. | | | | most authentic Bastille Day celebrations. Every |
| During the school holidays children can get | | | | 14th July, to celebrate the storming of the Bastille |
| involved in the whole mediaeval experience in the | | | | in 1789, the people of Murol don the costumes of |
| main hall in Murol by making costumes, shields and | | | | the nobility, peasants and soldiers from the period. |
| swords (mainly from scrap material, although as | | | | There is a street market, marching bands and |
| part of the deal they get to keep a wooden | | | | many other themed activities throughout the day. |
| sword) and learning how to behave like a | | | | Even the food is given a revolutionary twist with |
| mediaeval knight. Later the church square in Murol | | | | themed menus offered in most cafes and |
| plays host to a parade of trainee knights. | | | | restaurants. The fate of Marie Antoinette is |
| Suddenly in the distance you hear the clatter of | | | | re-enacted later in the day in the Parc du Prelong, |
| horses' hooves, growing in intensity as the baron | | | | where she arrives after being paraded through |
| and his men ride into the square. The lord | | | | the town and, with typical French farce, is tried |
| dismounts and with great ceremony each trainee | | | | and beheaded. The day finishes with a ball in the |
| knight is requested to kneel before him and be | | | | Chateau and a apectacular firework display from |
| knighted. Every new knight is provided with a | | | | inside its walls. |
| certificate to mark their passage into the ranks of | | | | Events in and visits to Murol are inevitably |
| the nobility. Surely a thrill for any small child! | | | | dominated by the chateau. Whether you are a |
| Murol (alt 833m/2733ft) located in the Puy de | | | | student of mediaeval architecture and traditions, a |
| Dome department of the Auvergne, one of | | | | curious tourist or a parent of small children who |
| Frances most attractive regions. | | | | dream of becoming a 13th century knight a visit |
| The Puy de Dome is land of extinct volcanoes, | | | | will fulfil your expectations. But, Murol also fulfils |
| lakes and rivers, providing one of the most unique | | | | the needs of the visitor who wants to explore |
| landscapes in Europe. Many of the castles in the | | | | the region on foot or by car and appreciate |
| area were built by the prominent mediaeval | | | | everything that this beautiful region has to offer. |
| barons as defensive strongholds high up in the | | | | |