Explore Saint-christophe-d'allier in Haute-Loire, Auvergne

Hike 240 kilometres of a trail once used by merchants and mule-drivers, Crusaders and pilgrims heading for St Gilles’ tomb or to Le Puy-en-Velay for its Black Madonna. This document presents only the segment of the trail between la Bastide-Puylaurent et l’Affenadou, most of which is on the territory of the Cévennes National Park. You can find the entire itinerary in the official guidebook, Le chemin de Régordane (ref. 7000),published by the Fédération française de randonnée pédestre (FFRandonnée)and sold in the National Park’s centres, online at www.cevennes-parcnational.fr, in bookshops and sports shops, and at boutique.ffrandonnee.fr. All information about the Régordane Way is also available at www.chemin-regordane.fr.

Once used for grazing livestock, the slopes of Loubaresse have gradually turned into broom-covered heathland. The municipality is doing everything it can to keep the areas clear by encouraging pastoralism and helping a farmer to settle there.   P - () From the "Loubaresse départ" post near the church, join the upper road (), cross over and climb the transhumance sheep track to the windy Pratarabiat pass    Pratarabiat – Follow Borne 5,9 km. Take the track on the left along the ridge.   Bravefont - Follow Loubaresse 1,4 km. Leave the track to descend steeply between two fences on the left (). Croix de Saint-Jean - Follow Loubaresse 2,2 km. On the right, cross the hairpin-bend road. Continue through the meadows. To reach the village, leave the track for vehicles to the Loubaresse’s only hamlet (Lichechaude) and take the path to the Lichechaude stream. Cross the stream and go up to join the GR () below the farm-restaurant. Le Dervet - Follow Loubaresse 0,7 km. Go left to return to Place de Loubaresse.

Beyond its historical importance, the site of Le Tournel also bears witness to ancient schist architecture and reveals a vast landscape shaped over time. Some clarifications:• Your starting-point is opposite the car park – you need to cross the road at the tunnel exit• From Marker 3, you can join the mill on the bank of the river Lot via a staircase (there-and-back)• From Marker 9, you can join a belvedere that overlooks the site of Le Tournel and allows you to read the landscape.

Mausoleum, châteaux, chapel, farms, hamlets – so many sites steeped in a history that simply begs to be told... From the mausoleum in Lanuéjols, go uphill into the village and towards the church. Below the cemetery, go downhill on the right to the road. Cross it and take the farm track on the valley floor. Cross first La Prade brook and then the Vareilles road to reach Finiols. In that hamlet, turn right at the T-junction and go downhill to Le Boy. Here you join up again with the D 41, onto which you turn right for 300 m. Then take a track on the left going uphill to Chapieu. Before you arrive on the plateau, at the third hairpin bend, take the level track to reach the Château de Chapieu, 150 m ahead. Return to the track and go uphill to Chapieu farm, skirt its buildings and continue straight ahead to a forestry track. Turn right onto the track and walk to the Col de La Loubière. At the Col (pass), take the lane back downhill to Le Masseguin. In the hamlet, take the path that goes uphill on the left. A ridge path will lead you to St Geniès chapel. Continue on this path, which goes downhill all the way to the road. Turn right onto the road, and, in the hairpin bend, take the track. After 200 m, leave the track for a path on your left going downhill to Vitrolles. Return to Lanuéjols on the road.

Blizzard belltowers keep you company throughout this trail over the large Mont Lozère peatbogs, the meadows of Les Espradels plateau and the “1,000 rivers” with their steep banks. As you leave the hamlet of f Oultet, head towards Lozerette. Fork left onto the path to join up with the track to Lozerette. Take it to the right (do not go through Lozerette). As you cross Les Espadrels plateau, at the crossroads, continue straight ahead. Join up with the track to Serviès (do go to the hamlet of Serviès to see its blizzard belltower, then retrace your steps) and turn right towards les Sagnes. Keep going straight, across the plateau, and in Les Sagnes walk to the lower hamlet to see its blizzard belltower before doubling back. As you enter the hamlet, take the track on the left towards Croix de Peyrou. 150 m after the cross, continue straight ahead, then take the second path on the right, towards Auriac. Go through Auriac and then around the summit of Peyrou to the fork below La Felgère, at the menhir (standing stone). Take the right-hand path to go back downhill to Oultet.

Partez sur le chemin des écoliers et plongez-vous dans le passé de ce charmant petit village.

This trail on the crest of the Tanargue plateau, which rises to over 1,300 m, offers superb views of the Ardèche mountains and beyond. P – Take the tarmac road towards Loubaresse. Just after the fire station, take the steps leading down to the left (). The path continues under the chestnut trees then across old terraces to the hamlet of Saint Martin above you.   Saint Martin - Follow Le Chalas 1,2 km, Croix de Bancillon. Go under an archway and turn right up the steps (). Take the main road on the left and cross it in front of the phone box. Take the tarmac road on the right, and cut down along the stone path to reach Le Derlay. Le Derlay - Follow Le Chalas 0,9 km, Loubaresse 8 km. The path climbs through the meadows then curves left in front of the houses and joins a tarmac road. Follow the road to the left for a few dozen metres, paying attention to the signs to leave the road by a path that heads left. It then joins the road, which you have to cross. Turn right and go up between the chestnut trees, then join a track between two walls that leads to the hamlet of Chalas. Cross the path and continue between the houses to reach the Chalas crossroads. Le Chalas - Follow La Grangette 15,8 km, La Croix de Beauzon 18,3 km. Go right of the house, cross the road and take the path opposite, between two stone walls.  The path re-emerges a little higher up the road. Go straight on and turn right onto the road. Leave the road and take the small path that goes up on the left. Follow the signs to Méjean. Méjean - Follow La Grangette 1,4 km, Loubaresse 10 km ().Continue along the ridge until you reach a track to the right. Follow it to the La Grangette hairpin bend. La Grangette - Follow Loubaresse 8,2 km by the main path that takes you to L’ Escoufour. L'Escoufour - Follow Le Chalas 3,2 km, Valgorge 5,7 km along the yellow and white marked track. When the track turns right at a right angle, leave it and take a path down to Le Ségur. Follow the signs. Le Ségur - Follow Valgorge 3,1 km. The track takes you to a stream; cross the stream and continue on the opposite side. Cross over a second stream before heading towards the fields and then to the houses in the hamlet of Chalas. Enter the small hamlet of Chalas du Haut, turn right after the first house onto the yellow and white marked path that descends between low walls. At the bottom of the descent, turn left to reach Chalas du Bas. Le Chalas - Follow Valgorge 2,2 km. Cross the road then take the steps opposite. The path goes down between two low walls then through the chestnut trees before reaching a road. Cross the road and head towards the houses before returning to the road and following it right. Leave the road by going right before the last houses and go down to Le Derlay. Le Derlay - Follow Valgorge 1,6 km. The path runs along the slope before turning right and going under some trees, then continues straight on before winding past some houses. In Valgorge, turn right on the main street and return to the start point.

The Montselgues blockfield path makes its way through a wild landscape dominated by the mineral element : granite. This beautiful hike evokes granitic Britanny with a whiff of legend. First, take the road that goes north out of the village, in the direction of Teste Rouge and Pradon. After about 100 m, turn right on a stony path leading to la Borie, 2 km away. You will first have to confront a difference in height of 90 m uphill, then the equivalent douwnhill, and you will see how unlike those two slopes are. On the first part, you will not find any blockfields but, on the contrary, a quiet landscape, very green, with gentle shapes and a moderatly steep gradient. Stone buildings bear witness to old developments : the rocks and walls along the way, the cross, the small bridge, the calade (cobblestone path), the paving on the path made out of grey, pink, yellow granite stones... Once you reach the road leading to la Borie, follow it uphill on your left for about 100 m, then pass the tight bend of the road, leaving the shed on your left. After 20 m, the path leaves the road and passes between the two houses on the right to climb among rocks up to Petit Paris, perched on the top. Go through the hamlet. Just out of Petit Paris, a bench carved out of stone invites you to sit down for a while. The walk continues on a path lined with rocks. After 1 km, you will see on your right one of the most beautiful granite blockfields in the area. A natural treasure less unusual in Brittany or the Auvergne, not to mention the numerous places around the world where the old basement rises to outcrop, on every continent. 500 m after the blockfield, you will go through the Cayres hamlet, a toponym that could mean either angle or remote place. You can pick the meaning you like. Carry on after the farm and take the road (yellow markings) on your left, follow it to the end of the downhill gradient, then take the track suitable for vehicles in front of you towards the ridge. The way back to the village will take you on the ridge of one of the plateau de Montselgues' corrugations, first called Pierre plantée, then Serre de Teste Rouge. The word serre means, depending on the place, an elongate mountain or a high point with gentle or rounded slopes. Once on the road, at the pass, take the tarmacked road that goes directly down to Montselgues, your starting point.

Un joli parcours pour découvrir l’église de Rageade, le Cros, un four. Une halte à la confluence des ruisseaux vous rafraîchira, le retour par de magnifiques chemins en sous-bois ou bordés de buissons en fleurs au printemps, se fait sans effort.

With comfortable rooms and good food guaranteed, you can just sit back and enjoy a really relaxing holiday.

Our 180m² group chalet in the heart of the Ardèche mountain has 46 beds in 10 4-bed dorms and 3 3-bed dorms. Half-board available at the foot of the slopes and hiking trails.

Welcome to LA FAGE gîte, at heart of village, 1,000m up between the Ardèche mountain and Cévenne ardéchoise. 9 little bedrooms (2 to 6 beds) ? 3 with shared facilities and 6 with private facilities. Kitchen, living room available. Cooking based on local produce. Many outdoor activities, sports, natural and cultural heritage all around. Piano in living room. Weekend lets, weekly lets for groups, families, nature classes. Beginner's orienteering and heritage discovery can form part of walks/hikes. Activity organiser on-site. 1 bedroom with disabled access.

In a wild and unspoiled valley not far from Tauriers, this fragrant rose garden contains more than 700 different old varieties of roses. It has been classified as a remarquable garden. GPS : [44.54978, 4.25655] Discover the collection of hundreds of old rose varieties in its charming setting within the preserved countryside. It is only 15 minutes from Largentière and is open to visitors for one month in spring. In the garden, you can enjoy a cup of tea or local juice in the tea house. Berty Rose Garden is also a nursery rose garden where you can purchase your favorite rose!

Located in a medieval house, panoramic terrace, traditional local home-cooked food. The Bastide de Sanilhac welcomes you in a charming and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy during weddings, seminars, holidays or week-ends.

The Ranchisses'inn is a friendly restaurant by the river in a beautiful stonehouse. Homemade Ardèche specialties, firewood pizzas and grill cooking... Our cuisine is made with fresh local products.

Quiet, friendly, spacious and demarcated pitches, quality bathroom facilities, volleyball, football, heated pool, badminton, snack, bread baked on-site, pastries, GR hiking trail from the campsite.

Our eatery in the heart of a Cévennes property in Ardèche Mountains Regional Park overlooks the medieval village of Largentière. We'd love to see you in our old farmhouse oozing personality.

Largentière was named after "Argentaria", the silver mining area. It was founded in the11th cent. The 12th century is a period of great development thanks to Emporor Conrad who allowed to town to issue coins. The town It was founded in the 11th century. The Counts of Toulouse, the Bishops of Viviers, and the Lords of Anduze, Poitiers and Balazuc owned the silver mines. In the 12th century, this medieval city retained great cultural and economic development thanks to Emperor Conrad who granted them the right to mint coins. In 1208, Largentière was placed under the authority of the Counts of Toulouse who succeeded the Bishops of Viviers. In 1730, Bishop François Renaud de Villeneuve sold the castle and the Barony of Largentière to the Marquis François de Beauvoir du Roure de Brison. In the 1830s the silk industry reached its peak, and silkmills flourished all around. Take time to explore this medieval city whilst wandering through the picturesque streets. You will discover the sandstone facades, the arcades, the mullioned windows and beautiful ancient doors. The castle overlooks the town. In 1716 the Bishop of Viviers sold it to the Count of Brison who decided to renovate the building in order to make it more comfortable. In the middle of the castle, the square dungeon also known as Bastide de Bonnegarde was built in the 12th century. It was left intact during the Revolution, and it became a Court of justice and a prison, and a local hospital later on. Notre Dame des Pomiers church (from the latin “pomerium” which means “limit”) was built between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century. It was extended in the 15th and 19th century. Inside Roman influences can be seen, such as a 13th century sarcophagus and a 15th century pulpit. An interesting detail: there lies the skull of the Count of Saillans who fought against the revolutionaries and was beheaded in 1792. The stairs of the Montée Mazon, which lead to the church, were built of stone from the remparts in 1888. The 16th century Recollets city gate is part of the medieval ramparts as well as the bridge over the river Ligne. They are both well preserved. From the bridge, you can see the canal, which would have brought water to the city shops, as well as the 19th century Court of justice, on the hill opposite, which looks much like a Greek temple. Don't miss the town hall: the back of this building is typically Renaissance.

The Abbey of Notre Dame des Neiges, where Trappist Cistercian monks have lived since 1850, is a place of peace, prayer and fraternity which is cut off from the world but open to all.

Marker 10From this high point (above which short-toed snake eagles are often seen), the site of Le Tournel on the rocky spur dominating the Lot Valley, showcases all its strategic power. The surrounding landscape was slowly shaped by human activity, the dispersed settlements favouring the human hold over nature. Mont Lozère’s denuded rounded tops are maintained by the flocks of transhumant sheep that graze here. Crops take up the fertile dips near villages, where farming can be mechanised.

Scots Pines, which have replaced oaks on limestone soils and beech on siliceous soils, cover vast areas. With birches, they are the first to invade abandoned farm land. As a result of agricultural decline, vast heaths of broom – which can live on poor soils – have formed. They are periodically subjected to controlled burns by farmers. This landscape evolves over time, and according to natural and human factors.

Loubaresse church, built in 1845, boasts a magnificent crenellated bell tower, the remains of an ancient tower that stood behind the village.

Marker 9A few plant species are well-represented near the ruins, such as hoary plantain and mugwort. Among the plants that colonise the almost soil-less stone walls or rock faces are stonecrops (several species, notable for their succulent leaves); saxifrages (three species), which brighten up the rocky outcrops in spring with their white flowers; and navelwort. Trailing snapdragon with its yellow flowers streaked in pink exists almost exclusively in the Cévennes. On top of the tower wall, you will notice two rows of schist stones with rounded lower edges, an exceptional architectural detail. They probably date from the 12th century.

Marker 8The keep and redoubt are defensive elements. Through their massive appearance and their position, they asserted the lords' prestige and power. In the 13th century, the keep was redesigned to have a narrow winding entrance passage and a curtain wall on its west side. The first two floors were each occupied by a rectangular room with a vaulted ceiling and arrow-slit openings. Access from one level to the next was through a  manhole. On the second floor, a wall still carries the imprint of the fireplace that once took up the whole back wall. A  turret built onto the keep contained a spiral staircase that gave access to the third floor.

This tower was probably necessary to fortify the castle during the Hundred Years' War. Its extremely thick walls (1.7 m as compared to 80 cm for the residence) reinforce a corner of the castle wall and served as the last line of defence. They follow the contours of the vertical cliffs. The tower still shows the vestiges of three corbels just above the access door, which must once have supported a bretèche (small defensive balcony). Inside, the floors separated by vaulted ceilings are accessible through manholes.

Marker 2In the 11th century, the King's authority was declining. Secular land-owning lords built fortresses to protect their assets and the people for whom they were responsible. The castrum or castle of Le Tournel was built at an altitude of 1,080 m, surrounded by a loop in the river Lot that is impossible to skirt. It occupies a rocky spur surrounded by sheer drops on all sides except the north. The vertical rock faces of the east and west sides make accessing the castle extremely dangerous. The site itself was the mainstay of the castle's defences, and enabled it to dominate and survey the Lot valley.

The restaurant is located in the privileged setting of the hamlet of Gua (road D203) on the banks of the river La Beaume. We propose a traditional home-made cooking with a regularly renewed menu and, out of meal times, a snack menu.

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.

Treat your tastebuds! Traditional hearty dishes. All our dishes are homemade including the jams we serve for breakfast. You will love the chef's exquisite Ardèche cuisine made from garden and fresh produce.

Ardèche terroir cuisine in a panoramic dining room with a view of the Alps and Ventoux Mount. This familial restaurant is popular for its fine cuisine and the chef, Claude Belin, cares about the use of fresh products only.

Located in a medieval house, panoramic terrace, traditional local home-cooked food. The Bastide de Sanilhac welcomes you in a charming and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy during weddings, seminars, holidays or week-ends.

The Ranchisses'inn is a friendly restaurant by the river in a beautiful stonehouse. Homemade Ardèche specialties, firewood pizzas and grill cooking... Our cuisine is made with fresh local products.

In this training restaurant, you will enjoy the meals prepared by the final-year students of the Largentière Catering School.

In this training restaurant, you will enjoy the meals prepared by the first-year students of the Largentière Catering School. The restaurant is open during lunch time from Tuesday to Friday.

Atypical and musical bar-restaurant in the characterful village of Chassiers. Grilled meats, salads, homemade burgers, fish, vegetarian food, organic drinks.

Our eatery in the heart of a Cévennes property in Ardèche Mountains Regional Park overlooks the medieval village of Largentière. We'd love to see you in our old farmhouse oozing personality.

Hotel in the midst of pine forests near the Espezonnette River, fishing. Private car park. Outdoor heated pool. Logis de France restaurant approved: 2 "saucepans".

This campsite in the heart of the Ardèche is surrounded by stunning mountains by the Vernazon River near the village and shops. Ideal for nature lovers.

Hôtel Au Parfum des Bois is a family hotel and restaurant where you can enjoy peace and quiet in the Ardèche mountain. Home cooking. We can't wait to meet you!

This villa can sleep up to 18 in groups or families throughout the year in 5 rooms and a dorm each with a sink, shower and toilet. Nearby: lots to do at lakes, rivers and forests. For the pleasure of your eyes... The lodge is located at the foot of the Gerbier de Jonc mount, in the small village of Usclades. Nearby, you can also visit the Bourlatier farm, the Auberge de Peyrebeille, the Écomusée de Bigorre-Les-Maziaux as well as picturesque villages and thatched roofs. ...and for the pleasure of your taste buds... In the evening, the lodge offers traditional cooking and typical dishes of the area made with local products: Fin Gras du Mézenc beef, maoche, charcuterie meat, trouts, mushroom omelets, lentils, etc. Deserts featuring blueberries, raspberries and chestnuts are also on the menu!

With comfortable rooms and good food guaranteed, you can just sit back and enjoy a really relaxing holiday.

Our 180m² group chalet in the heart of the Ardèche mountain has 46 beds in 10 4-bed dorms and 3 3-bed dorms. Half-board available at the foot of the slopes and hiking trails.

Welcome to LA FAGE gîte, at heart of village, 1,000m up between the Ardèche mountain and Cévenne ardéchoise. 9 little bedrooms (2 to 6 beds) ? 3 with shared facilities and 6 with private facilities. Kitchen, living room available. Cooking based on local produce. Many outdoor activities, sports, natural and cultural heritage all around. Piano in living room. Weekend lets, weekly lets for groups, families, nature classes. Beginner's orienteering and heritage discovery can form part of walks/hikes. Activity organiser on-site. 1 bedroom with disabled access.

Bois Simonet campsite offers an exceptional panoramic site in the heart of family nature, under the pines, at the gates "Monts d'Ardèche" and 20 km from the listed site of Vallon Pont d'Arc and the Cave of Pont d'Arc (reproduction Grotte Chauvet). Come and discover this little corner of paradise with 45 accommodations The site is composed of 45 accommodations mainly chalets for 4 to 8 people, 7 lodges, 18 camping sites for tents and caravans, 2 heated pools, 3 playgrounds for children, a city stadium. The river "Beaume" and its crystal clear waters is 10 minutes walk from the campsite. Quiet, friendly and family village, not flooded. On site services in season (+ W.E. in May and June): Bar, restaurant, takeaway, pizza, supermarket, games, petanque, table football, ... Breads and pastries on the spot - Press in July and August. Activities in season: ping pong and foosball tournaments, petanque competitions, canoeing, donkey rides in the campsite, kids club, teen club, foam party and 5 evening entertainment a week ... But beware, everything stops at 23 h to respect the rest of each. Accommodation: High-end chalets (telephone, Wifi, air conditioning, dishwasher and television depending on model).

Quiet, friendly, spacious and demarcated pitches, quality bathroom facilities, volleyball, football, heated pool, badminton, snack, bread baked on-site, pastries, GR hiking trail from the campsite.