Billom, a land of crops | Vacances en Auvergne – Maison du Tourisme du Livradois Forez

Unmask the medieval town of Billom in the heart of Auvergne's Tuscany.

Narrow cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses and small stores, sculpted portals, mullioned windows that catch the eye here and there: today, the walls of the old town tell the story of Billom’s medieval past.

In the Middle Ages, numerous merchants and craftsmen, such as the guilds of butchers, weavers, clog makers, blacksmiths, dyers and tanners, settled along the Angaud.

Even in the 19th century, Billom was nicknamed ” the city of markets “, because here, everything could be bought and sold: butter, eggs and cheeses, livestock of all kinds, poultry of all feathers, but also wood, clogs, bacholles, earthenware pots, hemp, woollen yarns, etc.

For wheat, the market was held under the covered market hall, built rather late for a commercial town, between 1793 and 1795, then destroyed around 1970. The square that bears its name preserves the memory of this market hall.

Billom’s commercial exchanges were so developed because of the important communication routes serving the town.

The timber-framed houses of the medieval town

Most of the timber-framed houses in Billom’s old town center, dating back to the 15th and early 16th centuries, are listed on the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. Their structure is based on a wooden framework in which a “hourdis”, composed of earth, lime and small wooden elements, fills the gaps between the uprights to form the walls. The vertical posts of these constructions are solidly anchored to the runners, horizontal beams that rest on the foundation or base wall.

Integrated into this vertical framework are the “écharpes”, sloping pieces of wood arranged in the shape of a St. Andrew’s cross. Their role is to brace the building, i.e. to provide additional resistance against lateral forces such as wind, by distributing loads and stabilizing the structure.

The wooden elements are arranged to create a variety of geometric patterns on the facades. These houses, frequently used for commercial activities, often feature stores on the first floor, with entrances to the street marked by arcades. Another characteristic feature of these buildings is the presence of corbels: the upper floors protrude slightly above those below, creating a projecting effect. This technique made it possible to enlarge the living space on the upper floors while keeping the footprint to a minimum.

Accommodation and restaurants in Billom

To make the most of this exceptional weekend, find accommodation and restaurants around the town of Billom.

Lodgings
Restaurants

Les Bonnes manières

Restaurant Les Petits ventres

Pink garlic the Billom treasure

Billom pink garlic is an emblematic agricultural product of the Auvergne region, whose origins go back centuries. The development of pink garlic cultivation in Billom took off around 1850, transforming the region into a major center for garlic production, processing and packaging. The replacement of hemp cultivation by that of pink garlic enabled Billom to become the capital of pink garlic, a title the town proudly retains today. This evolution was accompanied by considerable economic development for the region, thanks in particular to the creation of jobs linked to this crop.

Today, although production of Billom’s pink garlic has declined since the 1960s, four traders are still based in the area. There are some 30 growers in 113 communes, producing over 200 tonnes of garlic a year. Half of the production is sold directly, while the rest is handled by traders.

The Confrérie des Grands Goussiers

The medieval town of Billom and the surrounding area continue to celebrate this heritage through a variety of events and initiatives. The Confrérie des Grands Goussiers, for example, works to promote Billom’s pink garlic, notably by organizing an annual fair in August.

Did you know?

The cultivation of Billom pink garlic, a delicate, ancestral process, takes place in several key stages, from planting to harvesting, before being transformed into delicious local products.

1Planting and growth

In the heart of the Auvergne region, from mid-January onwards, farmers meticulously prepare the soil for the garlic cloves. These germinate in around three weeks.

2.Harvesting

By mid-July, garlic is ready to be harvested. After harvesting, the garlic is left on the ground for one or two days to allow the soil to detach naturally from the bulbs. It is then protected from the sun to prevent any deterioration in quality.

3.Drying and storage

Traditionally, garlic is dried in hanging bunches, a method that allows optimum natural ventilation. Once dried, Billom garlic can be stored for up to a year, preserving its freshness and unique flavors.

Garlic soup recipe with garlic

by Jean-Marc POURCHER, Toques d’Auvergne & Grand Goussier de la Confrérie de l’Ail Rode de Billom

Ingredients:

– 2 liters of soup for 2 heads of Billom pink garlic
– ½ cup milk
– ½ cup water
– 2 marrow bones
– 3/4 potatoes
– olive oil
– bay leaves
– salt and pepper

Preparation of the garlic paste :

Dull garlic heads. Bring whole garlic cloves to the boil in ½ milk and ½ water. Cook gently for 10 minutes. Pour off the water, then remove the skin from the cloves by pinching with your fingertips.
Brown the Billom pink garlic paste in olive oil, taking care not to burn it.
Make 2 liters of stock with two marrow bones and two bay leaves. Cook 3/4 potatoes to be mashed.
Moisten the resulting mixture with the stock. Add the mashed potatoes. Stir.
Return to the heat and simmer for a few minutes. Serve with garlic croutons.

Enjoy with a bottle of Côtes d’Auvergne.

Nature getaways in Auvergne around the medieval town of Billom

Ecopôle Val d'Allier, Pérignat-ès-Allier

The area around Billom is a veritable playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Situated on the western edge of the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park, it offers the perfect starting point for hiking enthusiasts.

Why not spend a weekend on the“Les Forteresses de la Toscane auvergnate” loop. This adventure begins in Saint-Jean-des-Ollières, stretching 14.5 km to Egliseneuve-près-Billom. The second stage of the trail, 20 km long, takes hikers back to their starting point in Saint-Jean-des-Ollières, offering a complete and immersive experience of the region.

For those looking for detailed information on the trails, the topoguide“Balades en pays de Billom, Saint-Dier”. This is one of 12 topoguides published by RELF (Randonnée en Livradois-Forez) available for sale at all Tourist Information Offices (BIT) of the Maison du Tourisme Livradois-Forez.

See Topoguides

Join the Allier River just a few kilometers from Billom.

The Allier River is considered one of the last wild rivers in Europe. A wild river is a free-flowing watercourse with little or no human intervention, thus preserving a natural and diverse ecosystem. It offers a variety of natural landscapes including alluvial forests, meadows and sandbanks. The diversity of its environments attracts many nature lovers.

For water sports enthusiasts, take a canoe trip down the Allier. Head for Joze or Dallet for a getaway with family or friends.

Activities not to be missed around Billom

La Via Allier

Discover the Livradois-Forez region by bike. The Via Allier, a section of the V70 cycle route, offers a unique cycling experience along the Allier river. It stretches from Nevers, near the confluence with the Loire, to Langogne, not far from the river’s source. Eventually, the route will extend all the way to the Mediterranean.

Read more

Garlic Fair

Alert your taste buds! La Foire à l’ail awaits you in Billom, every 2ᵉ weekend in August the garlic fair. An event that has become a must for bothAuvergne garlic fans and its producers. 200 exhibitors and 60 retailers attract nearly 20,000 visitors every year.

Read more

Billom, the medieval town

If you’re passing through Billom, you won’t want to miss the guided tour of Billom la médièvale. Accompanied by a guide, let yourself be guided inside themedieval walls, to discover or rediscover local history and heritage. A visit rich in history, architecture and surprises!

Read more