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 From Montluçon to the land of Tronçais.
At the sources of a Bourbonnais dwelling and at the edge of the land of Tronçais close to the Combrailles, lies Montluçon, which is today the second town of Auvergne. It bears the stigma of a prestigious past. Industrial bastion of the 19th century and the first town occupied by the Bourbon family, the town preserved the charm and the soul of the old town of the Bourbonnais of yesteryear. Listed as an "Art Town" (ville d'Art) thanks to its 15 listed buildings, it displays its charm of stone along the lanes of its medieval and pedestrian district. During the Medieval Festival of the dukes of Bourbon, you can felicitously stroll and feast joyfully.
Prestigious dukes of Bourbon - Located on a golden mountain and surmounted by a sun, this
is the description of the castle of the dukes of Bourbon
on the coats of arms of Montluçon, the only castle which
is not in ruins. Built in 1370 by Louis the Second of Bourbon,
and beautified by his heirs, the castle of the dukes of Bourbon
is the proof of the dwelling's prosperity, a frontier town
on the outskirts of the English domination. 
With its large main building, its square parap et tower, its
clock tower and its Italian style gallery. Here, secrets
of the building genius of the Bourbon's Sires are revealed,
concerning the mysterious underground passages of the castle,
legend tells that they were allowed to walk under Montluçon
in order to get to neighbouring castles.
Under the shelter of the oak forest
of Tronçais -
Administrated for a long time by the dukes  of
Bourbon, preserved and sown by Colbert to supply the most
beautiful oaks of the "Marine Royale", the forest of Tronçais
is today, with its 250000 acres (10000 ha) of oak, the largest
oak plantation in Europe. The forest of Tronçais is a wonder
of greenery and an exceptional place for walking thanks to
its venerable oak (some of them are 3-centuries-old), its
blue ponds, its Viljot fountain, full of legends and its
rich fauna.
 Sportive
interlude - A few kilometers away, in the South of Montluçon, the Combrailles of the Bourbonnais offers magnificent sites to all kinds ot sportsmen. Head in the air, climbers will go to discover the cliff of the rock of the Buse, in Lignerolles. By water’s side, fishers and bathers will appreciate activities that are proposed on the pond of Herculat, near Treignat. It was created a long time ago, as it is already present on the maps of Cassini, this stretch of 45 acres (18 ha) of water is today adapted to the pleasure of holiday-goers.
The Cérilly, a cheese from the region of the Bourbonnais
- The
flagship of the House of Déret, the Cérilly is the result of 85-year-old
experience, born at the edge of the forest of Tronçais,
 in
the heart of the Theneuille dairy. Forgotten for a long time,
as the Tomachon and the Chamberat, two other local cheese
specialities, this fresh cheese
(from cows milk), matured in cellars, has established its
worth thanks to a traditional production of renowned quality.
In the heart of the bocage
of the Bourbonnais, come to enjoy it in the place where the
milk is used for its production is still collected.
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