Explore Saint-privat-du-dragon, Haute-Loire's Charm

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

The village of Celoux, the old railroad line and the windmill are all signs of the past that punctuate this circuit and make it a real heritage pilgrimage.

Ce parcours vous emmène sur un lieu de miracles : pas de source, pas de grotte mais un havre de paix dans une verte vallée, où une naissance inopinée donne son nom au pont du Saint. Puits couverts et fours banaux sont autant de point d’arrêts.

Bâtie sur un piton volcanique, isolée par les vallées profondes, véritables douves naturelles, la forteresse seigneuriale de Loubarcet était imprenable. De la pierre de couleur chaude aux pâturages ou sous-bois, découvrez les panoramas du Pays de Massiac.

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.

Une randonnée qui sera riche de découvertes, entre l'eglise romane de Saint-Poncy, le vieux pont de catzara et les paysages de pâtures agricoles.

A la découverte du Moulin à vent restauré avec du chêne et du bois exotique. Panorama à 360° sur les plateaux vallonnés. A voir également un long abreuvoir en pierres, et fontaine couverte.

Ce parcours vous mène à la célèbre chapelle Sainte Madeleine, cette ancienne chapelle castrale perchée sur son éperon rocheux. Découvrez ruelles et maisons à « estre », et arpentez les coteaux.

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).

Partez à la découverte des villages pittoresques des hauts plateaux, et de Bonnac dans la vallée de l’Arcueil, sur les traces des romains chercheurs d’or.

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.

Welcome in a completely renovated farm barn that privileges wood, for a friendly and warm stay in the countryside at a few kilometres from the village. Ideal for a quiet stay with many hikes.

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.

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.

In 14th century, paper replaced parchment and Ambert mills began making paper from cloth. Today, the mill continues this ancestral trade. Thought to have been invented in China around 105 AD, paper's journey to the west was a long one. Paper, which was first used in France in the 14th century, replaced parchment. There were around 400 mills operating around Ambert, making paper sheet-by-sheet using rag paper. Today, the mill continues this ancient process. Highest-quality paper used for publishing the encyclopaedia of Diderot and Alembert, it is still used for restoring artwork, watercolours, lithographs and more. Educational paper manufacturing workshop: you make and keep your own paper. Exhibitions. Shop. Botanical garden.

Quiet and wooded campsite facing the Leignecq waterbody. Ideal for fishing and hiking to discover nature. Caravan rental. Mobile homes. Possible motorhome reception (emptying area).

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.

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.

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.

Construite pour abriter Notre Dame de Vauclair, vierge en majesté, elle est encore l’objet d’une grande vénération. L’édifice roman, influencé par le limousin, d’une grande pureté de style (estimé fin XIIè), contraste avec les décors intérieurs très colorés de faune et flore. Baies ouvragées, vitraux et rosace, retable à colonnes torses et vignes dorées, s’ajoutent au sol ancien en pierre, l’escalier donnant accès aux combles, et au toit de lauzes typique.

The prosperous time of the inland water shipping of Auvergne is indivisible of the success of wine-growing and mining exploitation. Until the arrival of the railway in the middle of the 19th century, flat-bottomed boats were constructed in Jumeaux with pine from Livradois and Margeride, hence their name of “sapinière” (plantation). Then, they went down the Allier River on a one-way trip and transported to Paris the cargoes of coal, wine, fruits, etc. In Jumeaux, there was a time in which construction sites spread along the Allier River for more than one kilometre, and they employed in 1795 almost 260 carpenters, apportioned in 80 workshops (there is no more remains of this today). Between Jumeaux and Coudes were staggered on the Allier River about ten “ports” where goods were embarked over the descent. Along the river, several elements discreetly remind of this closed chapter of the navigation of the Allier River: old ramps or quays in Brassaget and Coudes, or storage caves (old port of Perthus in Orbeil).

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 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.

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.

The amethyst, with its brilliant violet colour, was exploited for more than 5 centuries in the park of Livradois-Forez, for jewellery and ornamentation. Go looking for it with passionate miners that dig by hand in their deposit in Pégut. Information and reservation “Amethysts of Auvergne” at the 06.78.85.65.44.

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 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.

Menu based on fresh seasonal produce. Licence IV.

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

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.

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.

Nathalie welcomes you to her restaurant located in the heart of the green resort of Usson. Young and old alike will be able to enjoy a traditional cuisine of quality based on fresh products. Former Rival restaurant. Specialties: foie gras, ice verbena, fresh meat and fish. The menu changes according to seasonal products. Ideal for family meals: 2 dining rooms, 1 room for children and 1 terrace. Near the museum of the Forez mountains and outdoor activities: water, mountain bike rides, adventure park ...

Welcome in a completely renovated farm barn that privileges wood, for a friendly and warm stay in the countryside at a few kilometres from the village. Ideal for a quiet stay with many hikes.

Quiet and wooded campsite facing the Leignecq waterbody. Ideal for fishing and hiking to discover nature. Caravan rental. Mobile homes. Possible motorhome reception (emptying area).

Véronique welcomes you in a rural setting, inside an old building completely renovated. The first traces of the house date from 1299 in the hare (cadastre) of Estivareilles. The traces of the mill can be found in the Napoleonian cadastral plane of 1826. The mill (always existing) was in operation until 1930, and a sawmill was installed to replace the mill shutdown. Located at an altitude of 900 m, come and refresh yourself in this greenery. You will find the grain mill for animal meal, in the center of the house, adjoining the guest rooms; the sawmill dating from the beginning of the 20th century and which stopped in 1985. The Andrable River passes through the house and runs along the rooms. In one of the rooms you will have the pleasure of hearing the sound of the water if you sleep the open window. Three rooms are at your disposal so that you can have a pleasant stay. The “Charbon” room of 20 m2, spacious and clean, will seduce you with its comfortable king size bedding and its modern and functional bathroom. The “Panah” room of 20 m2 will seduce you with its breathtaking view of the Andrable River and its modern and functional bathroom. The “Babet” room of 18 m2 will seduce you with its modern and functional bathroom and warm colors. Each room gives access to a relaxation area and shared kitchen, with the possibility of eating (hotplates, refrigerator, coffee maker). Sweet and/or savoury breakfast (depending on your desires) is served in the kitchen area from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. If necessary, we can agree on specific timetables.

Perched in a unique setting 850 metres above sea level, the Auberge de Marols is open all year round. The Auberge has 4 guestrooms available 7 days a week.

Fully renovated late 19th century stone-built farmhouse. This gîte is situated near the village of Gumières, offering a real belvedere over the Mounts and plain of Forez, at the entrance to Auvergne. Gîte is near village of Gumières with great views over the Forez mountains et plain, bordering the Auvergne. St-Anthème et Prabouret ski resort 10 min. Livradois Forez national park, ideal area for nature-lovers. St Etienne 40km.