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Chateau de la grange fort: explore Les pradeaux and Puy-de-Dôme

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Welcome to the majestic region of Les Pradeaux, nestled in the heart of Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne! Whether you're seeking peaceful nature or rich cultural discoveries, Chateau de la Grange Fort is your perfect starting point.
Dive into the Comté State Forest, a natural sanctuary offering hiking trails for all levels. History enthusiasts will love the Panoramique des Dômes, which takes you by cog rai...
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Walking around CHATEAU DE LA GRANGE FORT

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Explore the hiking trails around CHATEAU DE LA GRANGE FORT.
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The peak of Usson
2.3 km

The peak of Usson

Usson, a perched village, its church, its basalt columns and its peak feed the curiosity of hikers. The panoramas of the Mont Dore and the Puys chain are no less remarkable. Starting point - From the starting sign, at the bus shelter after the Town Hall, turn right towards the fairground. Go on rue H. Pourrat on the right. At the next intersection turn left, then take the second street on the right, rue des vignerons. Turn right at the first street (at the bottom of the stairs), then turn left at the next street, rue au Chanvre. Continue to the left across the Place de l'Ormeau and then take the Varennes road. Turn right into rue de la Forge. Go around the church on the right by the rue de la Reine Margot, 100 m further on the right, then on the left until the crossroads with the D123. 1 - Cross this crossing towards Usson, go up the first grassy road on the right. At the T-junction, go to the right, take the path along a coppice forest, then go up between fields, facing the peak of Usson, to a first house (view on the Cézallier and the Sancy massif). 2 - Go to the right, cross the hamlet; at the end of the street, go to the left. At the exit, go around a hangar and turn right onto a balcony path. At the first fork, continue to the left. In front of the castle turn right and then walk along a property (Bois Rigaud, 17th century). Turn left three times and reach a road. 3 - Cross the road and pass in front of the transformer and head towards the village of Usson. Facing the cross and the fountain, go to the right. At the perimeter wall, go under the porch, then left (picnic area). Follow the small road passing between the houses. At the sight of the cross, take the path to the right and reach the top of the village of Usson (at the water tower, beautiful basalt organs). Go to the Romanesque church (panorama on the Sancy massif and the Cézallier). 4 - From the church - educational signage in enamelled lava, historical on Queen Margot - (possibility to go back and forth to the top of the site of the Virgin of Usson, 360° view), go down into the village. At the exit of Usson, turn right by the road. At the last house, continue to the left. At the crossroads turn left. In a curve, take to the left a wide stony and then grassy path to a vineyard. 5 - Go to the right on the dirt road along a very old clay wall for about 700 m, then turn right. Cut the road, go in front. At the entrance of the castle (château de la Vernède, mill), continue to the left. Back to the mill, go opposite on a grassy path to the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Chargnat.

3 h
11 km
Very easy
Parking - Place de la mairie 63500 Saint-Rémy-de-Chargnat
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The Valley of Parcelles
3 km

The Valley of Parcelles

A charming hike that starts from Saint-Martin-des-Plains to meander through cereal plains dotted with small hills. We enjoy beautiful views of the Livradois-Forez and the foothills of the Cézallier. Starting point - In front of the starting sign, turn left following the brook of Les Parcelles. At the road bridge continue opposite until you reach a crow's feet. 1 - Continue on the upward path (old building with dovecote), stay on this wide path (view on the Livradois) until you reach Bethel castle. 2 - In front of the Castle, turn left, follow a power line. On the ridge (panorama on the Cézallier, the Sancy massif and the puy de Dôme) at the first road turn right and go down. At the road, turn left for 150 m until you reach the entrance of a road. 3 - Take it and at the stop sign, continue on the right by a long descent. At the entrance of a bend, leave the road for the right path, climb to reach a road, follow it from the left on a grassy shoulder (220 m). After the property of Grange-Fort cut the road, turn right, continue straight ahead forgetting the paths on either side. Pass near a village (Les Pradeaux). Cut a tarred path, continue until you reach a road. Cross it, take the first bridge on the left, walk along the picnic area and take the first road on the left. At the power line, turn right, cut the road and continue straight ahead until you reach (the old tile factory). 4 - Go up to the right on the plateau (360° panoramic view). At a T-intersection, turn left (reedbeds). At the next crossroads, go to the right, progress on the balcony path, cut a small asphalt road, turn left and go down to the right on the wide path that leads to the village. Back to the starting point.

3 h
11 km
Easy
Parking - Place de l’Église 63570 Saint-Martin-des-Plains
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The Queen Margot’s path - The walks of Léa and Tino
3.8 km

The Queen Margot’s path - The walks of Léa and Tino

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.

1 h
2.6 km
Very easy
Parking en bas du village 63490 Usson
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The hills and the lime
3.9 km

The hills and the lime

This tour offers diversified natural landscapes as well as many views in the vast lime of the Lembron. Le Broc, Gignat and Bergonne have beautiful winegrower houses and a rich built heritage. Starting point: From the starting sign, go to the right of the chapel towards the panoramic area (stone sculptures in bas relief on the ground, panorama on the Livradois-Forez mountains, the Nonette peak and the Lembron plain). Go down the stairs then in front of the town hall go right by the rue du Beffroi. Continue on rue Saint-Verny, walk along the ramparts until you reach the crossroads of the D718. 1 - Follow the direction of Issoire for 400 m. In a wide curve, take the dirt road on the right, then at the entrance of a wood, turn left, and pass under the high voltage line. At a T-junction, go down on the left (view on the village of Broc). At the bottom of the descent, turn right and walk through the woods, ignoring the adjacent paths until you reach a thematic table: the path of the hillside of Les Espinasses (view on the villages of Lembronnais). Go down towards the village of Gignat, to the bottom of the rue des Espinasses. 2 - Go to the right and walk along the square until you reach rue du Colombier, which you climb. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths on the right, at a fork stay on the left and continue on the plateau. In the woods, go to an intersection. 3 - Take the path on the left and continue along the edge of the plateau, between low walls, on volcanic stones (remains of former shepherd's huts). At a fork, turn left and go straight down into the woods until you reach the road. 4 - Take it on the right and follow it to the village. At the top of the hill, at the first street (rue de Nava), turn right. When you arrive at Place de la Chambre, take the stairs under the church. Pass under the porch, follow the rue de l'Église to reach the "coudert", place du Charlavet (on the left escaped on the Sancy), cross it, pass on the left of the mairie-école and follow the D718. At the exit of Bergonne, leave the road to take the path opposite. Further on, turn left and take the path that goes down to the Malbattu estate. At the D32, turn right, follow it for 500 m (with caution) until the first road on the right. 5 - Go straight up and at a fork continue on the left along the edge of a field (before the hamlet of Quinze, overlooking the Issoire basin). At the place called Domaine des Quinze, go straight ahead by a wide path until 100 m before the top of the hill, at the beginning of a path that is not very visible. 6 - Turn right on the narrow path between woods and thorns until you find the wide path you take on the right until you reach the road. Go to the left to reach the starting point.

4 h
16 km
Easy
Plateau de La Chaux - Espace panoramique 63500 Le Broc
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Notre-Dame-De-Mailhat
4 km

Notre-Dame-De-Mailhat

The old parish of Mailhat is a historic monument (1859) and its church built on a Gallo-Roman temple by the monks of Sauxillanges at the end of the 12th century in an elegant and ornate style that contrasts with the severity of the Romanesque style of the Auvergne region. Starting point - From the starting sign, join the D123, take it on the right and then go up on the left the Chemin de la Fontaine. At the fork, turn right and continue upwards, leaving a path on the left (view of Nonette, the Sancy massif, the Cézallier, the Livradois). At the top of the hill, take the left track for 100 m then turn right and continue towards the church of Mailhat. Go through the village to the 12th century Romanesque church, continue until you leave the village. 1 - At the intersection with the D123A, turn right on it for 350 m and then take a road on the left until you reach the road. Turn right to Lamontgie. Enter the village and go to the square. 2 - Take the direction of Auzat, pass in front of the church and 50 m after the town hall, turn into the first street on the right which turns into a path. At the crossroads after the power line, turn left. At the cross of Plantiers, turn right and continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads. 3 - Go down to the left and at the first intersection turn right. Continue until you reach a crossroads of 5 paths, take the one on the right towards Orsonnette. At the next intersection, go left and then immediately right. After the cemetery, continue to the right to reach the starting point.

3 h
8.6 km
Easy
Orsonnette - Place de l'Église 63340 Nonette-Orsonnette
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Auvergne Wildlife Park
19 km

Auvergne Wildlife Park

The Parc Animalier d'Auvergne is a unique reserve for rare and endangered species, with a European reputation. Over a 45-hectare area, you can learn about biodiversity and discover almost 350 rare and endangered animals of 60 different species. Come and meet snow panthers, red pandas, wolverines, tigers, Amur panthers, takins, Tibetan black bears, Rothschild's giraffes, Hartmann's zebras, primates, two-toed sloths, dholes, pygmy hippos, cheetahs and, more generally, 350 rare and endangered animals! The Park is set in an exceptional natural site, where you can admire many incredible views over the Cézallier and discover the various actions put in place for animal welfare and species conservation, while visiting a site that is proving its difference on a European scale. Indeed, the Parc Animalier d'Auvergne stands out in many respects: Europe's largest enclosure for Amur panthers and, new for 2024, the first park to house Thorold deer, the integration of an animal nutritionist and an educational manager into the team, the creation of an association dedicated to ethology and another to learning about biodiversity through new technologies, the offer of novel mixed-use enclosures and a wide variety of immersive activities to familiarize visitors with the animals (family safaris, special encounters, vacation courses, etc.)...). A must-see! Enjoy spectacular enclosures where you can walk right up close to the animals: chamois/bouquetins, lemurs or sika deer, and numerous walkways allowing you to get up close to the animals (red pandas, bears, wolves, giraffes). The Parc Animalier d'Auvergne is deeply involved in the conservation of endangered species around the world, including in Auvergne, notably through the Play for Nature endowment fund, and participates in numerous international breeding programs for endangered species. Located in Ardes-sur-Couze in the Puy-de-Dôme region, the park is just 45 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand and Besse/St Nectaire/Murol, and 15 minutes from exits 15 and 17 of the A75, near Issoire. For the 4th year running, it has been awarded the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence. It has also been awarded the Qualité Tourisme label, and is starred in both the Michelin Auvergne guide and Le Petit Futé. A company with a mission, it received two trophies for its concrete commitment to the environment in 2023, and joined the "Entreprise engagée pour la nature" program.

route d'Anzat-le-Luguet 63420 Ardes
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Scenography on the village of Usson
3.9 km

Scenography on the village of Usson

Presentation of the story of Usson, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and his emblematic character: Queen Margot. The history of Usson from the volcanic period with the appearance of the Butte d'Usson to the present day is presented in a scenography with a model of the village in the 15th century and the ghost of Queen Margot recounting her life and in particular the period when she was exiled to Usson for 19 years, between 1585 and 1605. Widely involved in the religious and political quarrels of her time, Queen Margot was exiled to Usson by order of her brother Henri III for 19 years. Granddaughter of François 1er (whose emblem was the salamander found in Usson), daughter of Henri II and Catherine de Médicis, sister of Charles IX, wife of Henri de Navarre, future Henri IV, Marguerite de Valois, known as Queen Margot, was born in 1553. Imprisoned in the fortress of Usson in 1585 on the orders of her brother Henri III, after getting rid of her jailer the Marquis de Montboissier-Canillac, she refurbished and decorated the château and held a brilliant and spiritual court attended by the best minds of her time, welcoming writers, poets, singers and musicians, inaugurating a literary genre by writing her memoirs, giving charity to the poor (Donnerie d'Usson), and leading a pious life without neglecting her love life. After her well-negotiated marriage to Henri IV, she was able to return to Paris in 1605, where she died 10 years later.

Bureau de tourisme 63490 Usson
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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾