CSO Equestrian Competition
Two days of show jumping competitions featuring classic events and the Jump Allier 2026 finale in Commentry.
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Commentry
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Commentry
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Look out for the statues and plaques honoring its industrial and working-class heritage in the town center.
- Parking is usually free and easy to find around Place du 14 Juillet.
- Use Commentry as a quiet, affordable base to explore the beautiful surrounding Bocage Bourbonnais region.
- If you visit on a Sunday, remember that most local shops will be closed, so plan ahead.
🍽 Food
🍽
Pâté aux Pommes de Terre
Try this hearty Auvergne potato pie at traditional bakeries in the town center.
🍽
Local Charcuterie
Visit a traditional butcher or brasserie to taste regional cured meats.
🍽
Bourbonnais Cheeses
Look for Chambérat cheese on the menu at local traditional restaurants.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Weekly Market
Head to the main square on market morning for authentic Auvergne regional produce.
🛍
Artisan Bakeries
First-rate for grabbing freshly baked bread and local pastries before a countryside hike.
🧘
Bourbonnais Countryside Paths
Take a short walk out of the town center to enjoy the peaceful, rolling green landscapes of the region.
🧘
Place du 14 Juillet (Early Morning)
Enjoy a quiet morning coffee on the main square before the town gets busy.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
5
Vintage Motorcycle French Championship, Enduro Family
Starting from Villebret at 8:30 AM, riders will set off in groups of three every minute.
Néris-les-Bains Tennis Grand Prix
A prominent tennis tournament organized by the AS Néris Tennis club.
60th Bourbonnais Music Festival
The Concert Impromptu wind quintet performs at the Sacré-Coeur Church in Commentry.
31st Traditional Market of Yesteryear
A traditional market gathering thousands of visitors to celebrate local heritage and terroir.
Commentry is a historic town located in the Allier department, famous for its profound impact on France's industrial and political landscape. The town's transformation began in earnest in 1840 with the discovery of coal, leading to rapid urbanization and the establishment of large-scale ironworks. This industrial boom was not merely economic but also social; in 1882, Commentry gained national fame by electing Christophe Thivrier as the first socialist mayor in French history. The town's layout reflects its mining heritage, with distinct worker colonies and majestic public buildings like the Town Hall and the Church of Saint-Front. Geographically, it sits on the edge of the Massif Central, providing a rugged backdrop to its industrial story. Today, while the chimneys no longer smoke as they once did, the town preserves its history through various monuments and a community spirit rooted in its hardworking past, making it a unique stop for those interested in the social history of France.
- Location: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
- Top sights: Alphonse Thivrier Theatre · Église Saint-Front · Château des Forges
- Nearby: Montluçon (12 km)
- Population: ~10.043
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 59 | 44 | 57 | 64 | 82 | 66 | 62 | 66 | 51 | 69 | 65 | 65 |
Geography
Facts
- Coal fields discovered in the year 1840.
- First socialist mayor of France elected in 1882.
- Total area of the commune is 40.96 km².
- Highest point reaches 462 meters above sea level.
- Postal code is 03600.
- Belongs to the Arrondissement of Montluçon.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Commentry (5)
Frequently asked questions
What is the industrial history of Commentry?
The town was an important center for coal mining and steel production in the 19th century.
Who was Christophe Thivrier?
He was the mayor of Commentry and the world's first socialist mayor, elected in 1881.
Are there parks in Commentry?
The Parc de la Mine commemorates the mining past and now gives playgrounds and walking paths.
What can you visit in the surrounding area?
The city of Montluçon with its medieval old town is located just 15 km west of Commentry.
When is the market held?
The weekly market is held every Friday morning in the town center, offering local products.
Commentry: where is it located?
Commentry is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Commentry: what is there to see?
Highlights include Alphonse Thivrier Theatre, Église Saint-Front, Château des Forges.
Commentry: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Commentry: why is it worth visiting?
Commentry is a historic town located in the Allier department, famous for its profound impact on France's industrial and political landscape.
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