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The Queen Margot’s path - The walks of Léa and Tino
Description
Usson, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, was strongly influenced by Queen Margot, who stayed there for a long time. From the summit, you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Puys mountain range, the Sancy massif and the Livradois-Forez mountains.
Starting point - Facing the starting sign, go to the right. Climb a few steps, take the path in the park, then the stairs. In the village, facing a wall, turn left (direction historical centre) and go down the rue des Condamines. Pass the Tourist Information Point and turn right into rue de la Mairie. Continue straight ahead and turn left into rue de l'Église Saint Maurice. Go to the square in front of it.
1 - Turn right, go past the War Memorial and then go up immediately to the left (chicane and stone steps). Continue on this landscaped path up to the top of the hill (statue of the Virgin Mary, 360° view: Livradois-Forez, Margeride, Chaîne du Sancy et des Dômes).
2 - Go down on the other side of the hill by the path that starts with basalt stones until you reach the path used for the ascent. Go to the right and, at the stone chicane, go opposite towards a grassy area. Walk past large organs and a water tower to reach the asphalt road.
3 - Go to the left ("Tour de la butte, remparts "), go down between the houses. At the bend, take the path to the left, go up on the road (view on the Monts du Forez and Sauxillanges) and pass between the remains of the feudal castle. Go up the rue de l'Église St Maurice, go down to the right of the porch and cross the grassy square (place de Jaude). Continue opposite, turn right then left on rue de l'Echanson. Turn right and go down to the left to reach the starting point.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Additional information
Distinctions
Listed PDIPR
Tips
- The statue of the Virgin Mary.
- Panoramic view of the Livradois-Forez, Margeride, Sancy and Dômes mountains.
- The balsaltic organ.
- View of Sauxillanges.
- Remains of the feudal castle.
Updated by
Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme - 02/06/2026
www.puydedome-tourisme.com/
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Environments
Mountain view
Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Open period
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Contact
Phone : 04 73 89 15 90
Email : tourisme@capissoire.fr
Website : http://www.issoire-tourisme.com
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
2013 - Randonnez-vous - Discovering the Puy-de-Dôme - Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme.
2019 - Randos volcans - Discovering the Puy-de-Dôme - Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme.
Type of land
Ground
Location complements
Near Issoire, leave the A75 at exit 13. Take the D996, direction Parentignat, then Usson. Park at the bottom of the village. Compulsory parking.
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/ Opposite the start sign, turn right. Climb a few steps, take the path in the park, then the stairs. In the village, opposite a wall, turn left (towards the historic center) and walk down rue des Condamines. Pass the Point Accueil Tourisme and turn right into rue de la Mairie. Continue straight ahead and turn left into rue de l'Église Saint Maurice. Continue to the church square.
2/ Fork right, pass the war memorial and immediately turn left (chicane and stone steps). Follow the path to the top of the hill (statue of the Virgin Mary, 360° view: Livradois-Forez, Margeride, Chaîne du Sancy and des Dômes).
3/ Go down the other side of the hillock along the path that begins at the basalt stones and ends at the path used to climb up. Turn right and, at the stone chicane, head straight ahead into a grassy area. Pass large organs and a water tower to reach the asphalt road.
4/ Go left ("Tour de la butte, remparts"), downhill between the houses. At the bend, take the path on the left, climb up to the road (view of Monts du Forez and Sauxillanges) and pass between the remains of the feudal castle. Go up Rue de l'Église St Maurice, down to the right of the porch and cross the grassy square (Place de Jaude). Go straight ahead, turn right and then left onto rue de l'Echanson. Turn right and descend to the left to reach the starting point.
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
