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From Gargantua's footsteps to the 3 drops of blood
Description
Leaning on the La Palle stream, Gargantua dug a rocky outcrop: the "Pas de Gargantua", while man has left behind a significant built heritage: church, calvary, sculpted doorway, wrought-iron or granite crosses, bread oven, fountains, washhouse, etc.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Tips
- Small built heritage
Updated by
Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme - 03/06/2026
www.puydedome-tourisme.com/
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Environments
In the country
Forest location
Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Distinctions
Listed PDIPR
Open period
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Location complements
From the village of Saint-Germain-l'Herm, take the D37 towards Chambon sur Dolore. The starting point is on the square in Chambon sur Dolore.
Contact
Phone : 04 73 82 61 90
Email : contact.ambert@vacances-livradois-forez.fr
Website : https://www.auvergne-livradois-forez.com/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/vacances.livradois.forez/
Google+ : https://plus.google.com/b/108466803393150638991/+Vacanceslivradoisforez63/about
Reception complements
For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/ Start opposite the Mairie, cross the D105, then go up the route d'Ambert (slightly to the left); turn left towards Grenouilhet. After the village, turn right behind the hangar onto a track that leads up into the woods. Cross the D87, and take the track opposite which climbs back up.
2/ At the Croix de la Chaux, turn right. Go straight on to reach the Palle stream. Just before the stream, on the left (just a few metres away) is the Pas de Garguantua. Retrace your steps and cross the stream. Continue straight ahead. Cross the D56, cross the crossroads and go straight ahead on a path through the woods. At the tarmac road, turn right. At the crossroads with the D87, go straight on towards Coissette.
3/ As you pass through the hamlet of Coissette, notice the carved gate. Take the path opposite, passing the cross. In the woods, fork right on a downhill path. Join a larger track which you take on the right to go to Rousson. Go up to the top of the village, note the wash-house and take the road to the right. Continue for 100 m and turn left onto the track. At the hamlet of L'Hôpital, turn left into the village of Chambon-sur-Dolore.
Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme - PDIPR.
Animals
Yes. Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.
Data author
