Discover the Charm of Lorlanges, Haute-Loire, Auvergne

Lempdes-sur-Allagnon is interesting for its listed hall dating from 1835, crowned with a framework valued as an architectural masterpiece. We cross puys, volcanic plateaus… Many views over the Livradois, the peaks of Nonette and Usson. Starting point - From the starting sign, cross the bridge over the Béal, cross the public garden on the left, climb the stairs and take the footbridge over the Allagnon. Pass between the tennis court and the village hall; at the road, turn left and follow the campsite. At the three successive forks, turn right to join the D654. 1 - Take the track opposite; at the fork, stay to the left and to the next one. Before the road, turn right towards the water tower. At the intersection, turn right on the upward track that goes around puy Ferrat. At the top of the hill, continue to the right (view of the Montcelet tower). Go straight ahead in Scoularoux then, in the bread oven, go to the right. Ignore the path on the left and continue (view of the Nonette hill, the Livradois mountains) until you reach the reservoir. 2 - Take the right track and continue straight ahead until you reach Moriat. At the stone cross, go along the castle wall to the left. After a fountain, stay to the right (entrance of the castle); at the next crossroads (another fountain), take the rue de la Vizade opposite. At the end of the village (cross), continue straight ahead until you reach a curve on the left. Cross the stream, continue opposite until you reach the D654. 3 - Continue opposite by the rue Filiol which goes to the campsite, turn left to find the path taken on the way there; after the footbridge, turn right. Follow the path that runs along the wall, cross the bridge near the washhouse. Turn immediately to the left on the path along the Béal to reach the starting point (at 100 m in the town centre, church and listed hall).

We plunge into the valleys of the Auze which offer pretty views of the Allagnon gorges, the lime of Caure (terraces) and the impressive fortress of Léotoing and a castle chapel and the castle of Torbiac. Starting point - From the starting point, follow the road to Féchal-haut, and continue straight ahead (view of Léotoing castle, Livradois mountains, Margeride, Cézallier). After the farm of Marmaissat, go down the first path on the right which joins the stream of Auze. Go along it for about 1.5 km to an intersection. 1 - Turn right at an acute angle, cross the stream and climb the hill. On the flat, follow to the right, and at the next fork, turn to the left (view on the Allagnon valley). Continue on the road and, at the intersection, turn left, until you reach the entrance of the village of Brugeilles. Turn right for a long climb up the hillside of the Bave valley. At the intersection, continue straight ahead, pass under the high voltage line and walk to a fork. 2 - Go up the path to the right (view of the village of Bousselargues). At the crossroads on the plateau, go opposite in the valley (view on the Auze valley). Leave a path on the right, continue until you reach a footbridge on the Auze, and climb up by a wide path that leads back to the beginning.

Saint-Gervazy, a village with a blond stone, is not lacking charm with its castle and church housing a black Virgin. The path climbs up on limestone forming a vast promontory with breathtaking views of the Livradois-Forez and the Cézallier. Starting point - From the starting point, near the signposts, head towards the "13th century castle". Turn right after the riding school. Cross the D35 and continue straight ahead until you reach the first road on the left. 1 - Take it (steep climb). At the T-junction, turn left, and follow the curve up to the plateau. Continue on the right along the edge of the plateau (view of the Lembronese plain, the Cézallier). After the orientation table, stay on the edge of the plateau (fauna-flora information signs as the only reference points) until you reach the explanatory sign of the Grey Lake (swamp area). Cross the fence. Ignore the right path. Further on, take the first road on the left and continue until the next intersection. 2 - Turn right (view of the Cézallier on the right and the Forez mountains on the left). Continue on this main path. Ignore a path to the right (wetland). At the T-junction, turn right until you reach a crossroads. 3 - Turn left. Take further to the right the closed angle path (view on the Léotoing castle and panorama) which leads to the village of Segonzat. Cross it until the cross at the exit. 4 - Take the street on the left. Ignore two paths. At the crossing, go opposite and continue on this wide path. At the fork, go down to the right until you reach the hamlet of Scourdois. Turn right after the farm building. Turn left before the stream. At the fork, go up to the right, pass to the right of a dolmen. At the D35, turn right and, again on the right, take the path that leads to Unsac. On the square (cross, fountain and oven), go up the Grand' rue to the left. Pass to the left of the war memorial and go down to the crossroads with the D35. Cross it and take the right track which goes down to Saint-Gervazy (views over the castle). Turn left after the castle to get to the start.

You will follow the footsteps of the “coal faces” that went down on the history of this territory. Indeed, the coal, gift from the old forests, made the richness of the coal mining area. Other local traditions as the cutlery industry and snail farming are to discover on this tour. Another mining activity was also important on the territory: the amethyst of Auvergne mining. This famous “bishop rock” belongs to the quartz family. Then, you will discover the deposit of Pégut, mined during several centuries for jewellery and ornamentation.

An abundance of images awaits us on this tour: medieval winegrowing villages, fields of red earth, the magnificent lime of Montcelet and a watchtower in a savannah decor. Nearby, Lake of the Prior and castle of Collanges. Starting point - From the starting sign, Place de l'Église in Vichel, go to the back of the car park, behind the church, and turn left into Rue de la Croix Vieille. Go up in the village to the crow's feet at the end of the village. 1 - Follow a stone path on the right (on the plateau, at the picnic car park, nice view over the valley and the peaks of Nonette and Usson). Ignore the small paths and go down towards the village of Collanges while staying on the right. Go straight through the village of Collanges until you reach the town hall. Take the road to the left towards the cross. Turn right under the cemetery and then take a path on the left about 200 m after leaving the village until you reach the crow's feet. 2 - Go up the path to the left. At the crossing on the plateau, continue straight ahead until the road. 3 - Go to the right until the village of Saint-Gervazy, go up the asphalt road called the Moncelet on the left, in front of the bridge (beautiful outcrop of red earth. At mid-coast, view of the village of Augnat and the Couze d'Ardes valley). Continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads. 4 - Turn left, continue for 100 m and take a right path through oaks and junipers (arrived on the plateau, point of view on the Puys chain). Cross the plateau towards the hilltop of Montcelet (astonishing "savannah" landscape) until you reach a crossroads. 5 - Turn right on the grassy path and follow the sign "Butte de Montcelet" until you reach the entrance to the woods. 6 - Leave the path on the left that goes up to the hill and continue until you leave the woods. Follow a trail through a dry meadow that extends into the woods (water tower on the left). At the crossing, go down the path on the right to reach the starting point.

This itinerary located in the Val d'Allier highlights the traces of the daily life of the miners who extracted coal from the mineshafts to store it on large flat-bottomed boats sailing on the Allier and then on the Loire. Starting point - From the car park, cross the D710, go around the Communauté de Communes building on the right, go under the porch, cross the road of La Combelle and take the rue de Solignat opposite until you reach the avenue des Gueules-Noires. Take the dirt road on the left for 50 m, continue on the right and join the asphalt road, follow it on the right for 60 m and then turn left to go up on the plateau (view on the Nonette hill, the headframes and the Sancy) until a fork (leave the circuit Des Pas des Mineurs). 1 - At the cabin, go down on the left on La Combelle. At the houses, turn right until you reach the entrance of the old mine (Le puits des Graves, hot room, memorial), go down and turn left. After 80 m on the left, go up avenue du Puy-de-Dôme, turn left avenue d'Usson towards the orientation table, cross the plateau and join the road. Take the stairs on the right to the street below, turn left then 200 m (Galerie d'apprentissage des Mines. École Papillon) turn right onto rue Pelle-Fesse, leave the street on the left. At the stop sign, turn right, then turn left immediately towards the chapel, take the alley on the left, then right on avenue de la Poste. At the stop sign, cross over and leave rue de Petit-Puits on the right, take the 1st street on the right and in the housing estate turn right into rue des Grises then left into rue Descente des Grises. At the stop sign, turn right onto Avenue de Tansac and then left onto Rue du Bac towards Brassac. Continue to the left, pass under the railway and take rue de La Batellerie towards l'Allier (old footbridge). 2 - Go up on the left, turn off towards the houses, continue on the right ignoring the rue du 19 Mars 1962, turn left on rue de la Roche and follow the rue des Écoles. At the stop sign, turn right onto rue Germinal until you reach the crossroads (bus shelter) towards Bayard. Before the esplanade, go down the stairs on the right to the street below. Turn left and after the bend follow rue Marcel-Renesio until you reach the old pumping station, on the banks of the Allagnon river. 3 - Take the track to the left of the road, at the sports field, turn right, join the road and follow the Allagnon. Before the footbridge follow the path on the left along the river, continue on the wider path and join the D710, cross it. Turn right for 80 m then left and right on the road to the houses. Follow the rue des Chambettes, then the avenue d'Armois, take the first right, then the 2nd street on the left route de la Combelle. Go under the porch and get back to the starting point.

This route begins in a wood and then crosses a basalt table where you can see wetlands, dry grasslands, varied environments and, depending on the season, ephemeral lakes on Caure lime decorated with rushes and water irises blooming in June. Beautiful Views. Starting point - From the starting sign, go down the rue des Bergers behind the town hall (the Couze d'Ardes valley). Turn left on Chemin de Poudain and at the grassy flat, go opposite until you reach the road. 1 - Take it on the left (Ardes and the vallée de Rentières) and at the entrance to Poudain, turn right twice and then go down on the left. At the next crossroads, turn left (beware of another yellow PR, the Apchat circuit that goes down to Ardes). Go up on the plateau by the main path and at the crow's feet, turn left, towards the cross, until Apchat. 2 - Cross the Place du Puits to go to the church. Go around it to return to the main road (16th century fortified house) and follow the direction of Perpezat (view of the Monts du Livradois). Cross the hamlet, walk along the washhouses and under the stone arch. At the fork, turn left. At the next one (mountain bike variant sign) continue on the left the big ascent on the plateau until the crossroads. (Round trip out of the circuit, 100 m straight ahead to see the temporary lake). 3 - When returning from the off-track, turn right (the signal of Luguet and Cézallier) and at the T-junction, turn left on the stony road. At the crossroads, go down the long and wide path on the left (the Alagnon valley) until you reach the T-junction. Turn right (the red lands and the slopes of Boudes) towards Augnat. At the entrance to the village, ignore the rue du lavoir. Take rue des Pradeaux and on the left, go down rue de l'Ancienne Forge to the Place de l'Église. Go up in front of the church and go around it on the left, rue Sainte-Marthe then on the left, join the place du Cézallier. Join the road and turn left towards the Place de la Mairie.

This trail winds its way through the heights of the Massiac region, taking in magnificent scenery and a remarkable heritage.

From Massiac, take the A75 "Route Vallée d'Alagnon" discovery trail to Blesle, one of France's most beautiful villages. At the Brèche de Giniol orientation table, you'll reach the canton's highest point at 1307 m.

Ce circuit nous fait remonter au temps des cultures en terrasses (palhàs) et des fonds de vallées (pré-vergers). Sans oublier la sentinelle du château d’Aurouze (XIVè siècle).

From the woods of La Comté to the villages of Livradois, this route is dedicated to Queen Margot. On the way, superb panoramas and discovery of beautiful villages like Usson. The itinerary begins in Parent. Villages crossed: Yronde-et-Buron / St-Babel / Manglieu / Sugères / Sauxillanges / Usson / Brenat / Orbeil / Yronde-et-Buron / Parent.

A guided tour through the history of France, the gardens and local history. A vast collection of prints discover etching (workshops available during the visit). Italian and French gardens, vegetables garden and orchard.

This garden has the shape of a planisphere which will guide you along the paths of history, botany and the smart relationship between men and nature.

Sound and light effects taking you through the gallery of pictures enabling you to relive moments from the resistance and the deportation, illustrating how some of the people of Murat survived in the concentration camp during the war. Not advised for the under twelve years old.

The château will not be open to individual visitors this season Château de Batisse invites you on a fascinating journey through the centuries. Originally a medieval fortress, the Château has been transformed into a prestigious residence, bearing witness to the architectural savoir-faire of each era it has passed through. An exceptional estate is revealed step by step: waterfalls and crystal-clear rivers, pools with silvery reflections, sumptuous parks and formal gardens, a rose garden of a thousand colors and bewitching fragrances.

.Located on the Gergovie plateau - a true natural belvedere over Auvergne, this new generation plunges young and old into the Gallic Wars between Vercingetorix and Julius Caesar. It combines archaeological objects and multimedia tools. More than a visit, the Archaeological Museum of the Battle of Gergovie offers a lively and interactive journey. The space combines graphics, models, archaeological objects and multimedia with the highlight of an audiovisual room plunging the visitor into the atmosphere of the Battle of Gergovie between Romans and Gauls. The route also allows you to discover the civilization of oppida arvernes, to discover the archaeological secrets of Gergovie and to understand the natural and geological history of the Plateau and the magnificent landscapes that surround it.

An artistic space dedicated to engraving and micropublishing linked to the tradition of paper making in the region. Workshops of typography and screen-printing and linocut.

La Maison de la Fourme d’Ambert gives information of the historical and present-day production of Fourme, AOP cheese of Auvergne. Summer workshops: cheese-making, butter production, Fourme hamburger.

The exploitation of coal went down on the local history from the 15th to the 20th century. By the way, we can find in the village signals of this flourishing past. It’s in 1910 that the Northern city, called “Germinal city”, was constructed. In 1926, the Coal Board decided to continue the construction of housing in the Southern city, the city of Laquets. The Saint-Bonnet’s church was constructed in 1876, further to the crumbling of the old church. This building, culminating at 400m, is a neo-Romanesque construction. A stained glass is devoted to Sainte-Barbe, patron saint of the miners. In 1372, the commander of the Knight Hospitallers entered into an agreement with the inhabitants regarding the construction of a fortified castle.

The Montcelet is a basaltic peak culminating at 138m. This is the culminating point of the Lembron area. The Tower of Montcelet, only remains of a 11th century fortress at 3 walls, of which only remains few vestiges. You will possibly discover this site dominating all the plains with a really beautiful walk. In the shade of the Tour du Montcelet, it is easy to observe the town of Issoire, the quiet course of the Allier, the Monts Dore, the Monts Dômes as well as the Monts du Velay and du Forez. An ideal observation post, the Tour du Montcelet is the only remains of an 11th century fortress with three walls, of which only traces remain. A very nice walk will allow you to discover this site which dominates the whole plain.

The district of Brassaget was known until the 16th century, only for its ferry, which allowed connecting the two sides of the Allier River. Its importance increased in the 17th century, with the joint development of the transportation by waterway and the mining. In 1795, almost 300 bargemen and other men working in relation with the water lived from the fluvial activity of the Allier River, and lived, for the majority, in the Brassaget district. The ferryboat of Brassaget was used until 1950.

The village is dominated by the Tower of Montcelet, only vestige of a fortress dating back to the 11th century, with 3 surrounding walls, which only remain vestiges. A beautiful stroll will make you discover this site, dominating the whole plains at 738m high (about 30 minutes walking). Vichel’s richness is also presents outside the village, with faunistic and floristic species protected at the European level. This natural heritage, recorded on the whole of whitewash, is part of the xerothermical area of valleys and hills (hottest and driest areas) of Couzes and Limagne areas, classified in Natura 2000 Area.

The Mining museum was constructed in memory of the generations of workers who left strength and courage into the guts of earth. 160m of galleries were recreated identically. You will discover the daily work and the real conditions of miners and you will also observe the headframe of Bayard, near the museum. Located on the road to La Combelle. Phone number: 04.73.54.35.82.

In the heart of the southern Puy-de-Dôme mining basin, immerse yourself in the world of the mine: 160m of identically reconstructed galleries reproduce scenes of daily work and the real-life conditions of underground miners. Come and immerse yourself in 5 centuries of coal mining history in Auvergne. The Mine Museum owes its particularity and originality to its galleries: no less than 160m of identically reconstructed galleries. The Mine Museum is housed in the old mining machinery building. This is where the energy needed to mine coal was produced and transformed. This was also the site of the important machine that lowered and raised the shaft.

This 12th-century Romanesque chapel was once part of the enclosure of a castle that no longer exists. Overlooking Massiac, it offers a magnificent view of the town and the Allagnon valley... A l’intérieur, découvrez la légende de ce lieu emblématique du pays de Massiac… Document de visite disponible auprès du bureau de tourisme de Massiac.

Located at the South of Ardes-sur-Couze, Apchat has a spring called “Chassolle”, or “Gour d’Appât”. The place has been fitted out at the suggestion of the Protective association of the Areas and Landscapes of Auvergne. This small spring has a weak flow and is not a lot mineralized. In the past, it was called “Eyes spring” because it was visited by the local population who suffered eye disease. For several years, it was the headquarters of a small commercial company, but it was soon abandoned because of its weak flow and its isolation.

On the course of the Zauze river, a few km from the village of Apchat, the Gour d'appat waterfall is accessible by a pretty shaded path. The particularity of this site lies in the curious way in which the water smoothed the granitic rock. Geological origin: the world “gour” is an old world referring to deep hollows full of water, formed along rivers. The particularity of this site is the curious way that water hollowed out the granitic rock. The walls are hollowed out, smoothed, curved, and forming a kind of “raised” chapel where water springs in a waterfall. Beforehand, the river is punctuated with “witch pots”, “giant pots” (kind of holes in the rock). Origin of the name: before, people used to fish in these holes, dropping bundle of sticks into the water, with baits in the middle. Pulling them out, crayfishes were trapped, hence maybe the name “gour d’appat” because of “gour des appâts” (baits hole).

The mining city of La Combelle launches an attack on the hill of “les Graves”. Its metal headframe was the first in the area. 45m high, it supported the spanner adjusters guiding the cables to take down and pull up the lift shaft with 32 miners inside. It worked from 1924 to 1978. The headframe was completely refurbished in 2002. It’s an integral part of the “complex of les Graves”, also including the “Lampisterie” (room used to stock miners’ lamps). You will also find the “Chambre Chaude” or “salle des pendus” (hanged persons’ room), recently restored, that was used as cloakroom. The room is called after its use: there, the miners suspended their clothes upright with a chain.

Refrigerated gourmet racks with specialties from Auvergne and other regions. Sweet gourmet racks. Open 24 hours a day.

Menu based on fresh seasonal produce. Licence IV.

Specialties include grilled meats and regional dishes: pounti, truffade, Auvergne platters and tasting platters, all served in a bright, open-plan dining room, under a covered terrace or in the open air.

The Auberge de l'Allagnonette welcomes you to a building full of character. The chef prepares delicious dishes: millefeuille of black pudding with foie gras, duck breast with red fruit, etc. Regional dishes: cantal tart, pounti, truffade, tripoux.

In the heart of the Cézallier, magnificent, fully restored buron. Home cooking, local produce, local meat, quality and tradition.

The simple pleasure of dining by the lake... a creative cuisine that draws its influences from both land and lake, using the resources of the greenhouse, kitchen garden and forest to create recipes that revisit local produce with the seasons.

The "Les Volcans" restaurant offers "home-made" local cuisine based on fresh produce selected from local producers and suppliers and carefully prepared by the chef.

Ecolodge in mountain village in Cournols. Construction with ecological materials and feng-shui intervention and geobiology. Fully equipped. Parking and private outdoor space. Rent by week or by night.

Family-hotel and restaurant near Lake La Cassière. The inn "Between Lakes and Volcanoes" offers a nature stop for a meal or a stay.

Self-contained gîte with garden and views of the Monts du Cantal and Sancy. Just 5km from Lake Lastioulles and its water sports center. Fully-equipped kitchen, living room with dining area and sitting area with fireplace. 3 bedrooms, shower room and separate WC.

Luxury gîte for 8 to 10 people. All comforts on 1 hectare of land surrounded by forests and set in the owner's Auvergne farmhouse. This tastefully renovated gîte is located in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, with a magical panoramic view of the Sancy massif and close to Lac de Lastioulles, which has been awarded the "Pavillon bleu" label (equipped beach, supervised swimming in July and August). Living room with fully-equipped kitchen, dining room, sitting area with TV, WIFI, library, board games. -2 bedrooms, each with 2 boxspring beds, shower and washbasin. -2 bedrooms with 2 boxspring beds each, using the large bathroom with oval bathtub, shower and two washbasins. This room has 4 additional beds and a cot. -Washrooms and two toilets. -3 terraces equipped with outdoor furniture. -Heated swimming pool surrounded by a deck and adapted furniture as well as changing room, heated shower, washbasin, WC and heated outdoor shower. -Washing machine, dryer and barbecue on request. -private parking Minimum stay 7 days from Saturday to Saturday (less than 7 days on request).

Located in the heart of a 5-hectare natural site, near the Lastioulles and La Crégut lakes. Unlimited pitches with or without shade, electric hook-ups, communal washing machine and tumble dryer, children's games, table tennis, peace and relaxation guaranteed. Groups welcome except from 01/07 to 31/08.

Located in the heart of a 5-hectare natural site, near the Lastioulles and La Crégut lakes. Unlimited pitches with or without shade, electric hook-ups, communal washing machine and tumble dryer, children's games, table tennis, peace and relaxation guaranteed. Capacity: 25 pitches