Mound and Marshes of Saint-Pierre-le-Chastel

A classified natural reserve, 65 hectares of dry and humid areas. The hill gives uninterupted views of the Chains de Puys volcanoes. The marshland is an area of remarkable biodiversity. Information pannels and a discovery trail help with orientation:
This site brings together two very different entities: the dry environment on the hillock is characterised by the presence of broom and small areas of dry grasslands on basalt This area also offers a 360° view of the Sioule valley and the Chaîne des Puys. The lower, wet environment (the Paloux marsh or marsh of the Mazayes stream), temporarily flooded during the Sioule floods, plays a major hydrological role (natural filter, flood control, etc.). It has a mosaic of habitats linked to wetlands such as cariçaie, willow, jonçaie or megaphorbiaie.

A heritage guide is available for €3 in our four tourist information offices: Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne, Châteauneuf-les-Bains, Pontgibaud and Les Ancizes-Comps, as well as on our online shop. It accompanies the discovery of the site, with its hill, viewpoint, perched church and nearby natural surroundings.