Châtelus par le chemin des écoliers

This charming little village can be discovered by strolling along the schoolchildren's path. A school built in 1880 recreates a classroom from the past, with numerous documents and furnishings dating back to 1830. The museum is the starting point for a tour of the village.
Châtelus was a Gallic village, but after the Roman invasion it became a sizeable village, situated on the Roman road linking Cusset (Allier) to Marcigny (Loire). Under the reign of Philippe Auguste, Baron Guichard de Châtelus - vassal of the Sire de Bourbon, the Count of Forez and the Sire de Beaujeu - became lord of Châtelus castle and entered the history books. The lords of Châtelus, the first barons of the Bourbonnais region, became famous during the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War. The wooden fort was replaced by a stone castle protected on one side by a steep slope on the Barbenan side and by a guardhouse on the village side. This fortress was destroyed during the Wars of Religion.

This charming little village can be discovered by strolling along the schoolchildren's path. The tour starts from the salle socio-culturelle parking lot, and heads back down the path towards the village.

After the 1st house, you'll see the school museum - nostalgia, nostalgia, nostalgia. As you enter, you'll smell the chalk and purple ink, and imagine the schoolchildren in their smocks listening to the teacher. The museum is open from May 2 to October 31, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm, Thursday to Sunday.

Next to the museum is the public garden with its playground and picnic area.
You'll pass the town hall (former presbytery) and, on the right, the Saint-Cyr church dating from 1905.

Descend to the Maison des Dîmes, the only vestige of the former 12th-century château-fort (guardhouse). In 1750, the building became the residence of the parish priest, who collected tithes on his own behalf. Altered in the 15th and 18th centuries, it is now the home of painter Jean-Gabriel Jonin.

Then climb up to the feudal mound for a panoramic view of the village. A Madonna stands in place of the former keep.

Refresh yourself at the fountain and continue your walk to the Moulin de Gribory, the last of the 18 mills in operation until the early 20th century. Here you can buy organic wheat, buckwheat, chestnut and other flours, as well as walnut and hazelnut oils. Please note that the mill is only open from Monday to Friday. (closed on public holidays).

Free access.