Saint-Hippolyte is a commune in the Cantal department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 10 km south of Riom-ès-Montagnes and 30 km south of Bort-les-Orgues.
In the heart of the Auvergne Volcanic Regional Nature Park, the village has only a hundred inhabitants, compared with 700 at the beginning of the 19th century.
Parallel to the traditional agricultural activity in this region of middle mountain (with a propensity to breed Salers cows, renowned for their meat and their milk which gives excellent cheeses), has developed in recent decades a Tourist activity in an exceptional natural environment.
Saint-Hippolyte has a reputed pilgrimage site since the end of the 19th century on the heights of the communal territory which culminates at 1336 meters (against 879 for the lowest point).
In terms of built heritage, in the village, the Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Hippolyte dates from its earliest parts of the eleventh century, as shown by the sculptures in the choir at the level of the capitals and the cornice. But modifications were made in the 15th century, on the vaults or on the tribune whose wooden balustrade was carved in the style of the time. Information on +33 4 71 78 93 48.
After this listed monument (extra inventory), it is necessary to leave the borough and its dwellings for some in the pure Auvergnat style to reach the sanctuary of La Font Saint, some 1,200 m above sea level, in the heart of the pasture.
After a medieval oratory and a first chapel at the beginning of the 19th century, a new chapel was erected in 1886. A statue of the Virgin is preserved in the summer. A Bishop of Clermont-Ferrand Shepherdess who would have had an appearance in the eighteenth. Some versions of the history of the sanctuary evoke a first statue of the Virgin brought back from the Middle Ages to the Middle Ages. All these narratives converge on one point: the location of the primitive oratory is close to a source that sprang summer and winter at the temperature of 5 degrees. The site was already the subject of a pagan cult in the Bronze Age, since graves of that time were discovered nearby.
Religious pilgrimages and traditional festivals take place from spring to autumn in La Font Saint.
Saint-Hippolyte and its surrounding heights offer a magnificent panorama on the Puy de Sancy and the Monts du Cantal, hence many hiking possibilities (on foot or even mountain biking for some), marked by remarkable points of view in a preserved environment. All information is available from the reception of the Natural Park on +33 4 73 65 64 26.
Also note that an interpretation trail, with stages for rest (stone benches) has been laid out for "a sensitive discovery of the mountain and its inhabitants". Duration: about one hour. Information at +33 4 71 78 07 37.
In addition to purely religious pilgrimages (August 15 and September 8, information to the bishopric at +33 4 71 60 61 90), festivals take place on the site of La Font Saint during the estive and the "descendants" When the herds are driven on high peaks and "go down" in June and September. The statue of the Virgin preserved in the church of the town is then transported to the sanctuary.
A festival of shepherds also takes place on the last Thursday of August. Information on +33 4 71 78 93 48.
