Things to see and do Haute-Loire

Le, or large Testavoyre is the highest point of Meygal (1 435 m altitude). The rise is, we can say, derisory compared with the exceptional view you have at the summit. It is a complete panorama of the mountains, valleys and landscapes of almost all the Haute-Loire which you will have the privilege to discover. In the distance you can admire the Puys chain and, by the way, the Alps. A 360-degree angle of view! Little curiosity, the volcanic rock of this volcano is made up of phonolithe that make your sonic walk!

By entering Chaudeyrolles (from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil), take the first road on the right after the church and continue to descend until you have a magnificent view of the so-called Chaudron de Chaudeyrolles (where still "Les Narces"). Then you will find an explanatory panel on Lignon trout on the left. You are there. Along a meadow where cows and bulls graze in peace, a trail rises in the middle of the grass. Follow it and climb a gorge carved in basalt, it will take you to the bottom of the Cascade waterfall or Salin waterfall. From between two rocks, Lignon makes a stop in the middle of the cliff (a shallow "pot" about three metres in diameter was shaped by the water) before pouring down to the bottom of the cliff to quietly regain its bed. Nice waterfall. You can go back to the right bank to reach the upper level. This part is more rugged. A cable shakes or, it is not a hand for hiker but it is used in winter for climbing the ice walls!

A site for the promotion of sustainable and respectful tourism for the Haute Vallée de la Loire animated by the SOS Loire Living Association and a dozen communes in the sector. We learn how to discover the nature of the biotope of this wild valley, we discover the objectives of sustainable tourism, we find practical links, we see the ten panels of a didactic exhibition on the young Loire, the gorges, the plateaus, its prehistory, its history, the news, the projects… Under the heading of tourism offer, a tab is reserved for fishing with coordinates of fishing guides, fishing accommodation, lists of the best spots, local fish resources, etc.

It offers a range of services for visitors, such as tourist information, the sale of hiking guides, ticket sales for shows and events, and information on community life. You can also obtain information on cinema programs and the cultural seasons of neighboring towns. The Tourist Office also offers a classified ads and photocopying service.

Located 1 250 metres above sea level, the Longetraye cave is accessible from the village of Freycenet-la-Cuche by a two-kilometre trail. Excavated in ancient lava flows, this cave sheltered prehistoric men more than 12 000 years ago. Yet it was almost destroyed by the rocky exploitation at the end of the th century. This trail is therefore a tribute to those who fought to save it.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 2 h.

Difficulty: .

Located at the top of a volcanic fireplace, Saint-Michel Chapel is a beautiful illustration of the technical achievement and human ingenuity. It is, however, on the rock that argues that Aighuilhe's commune has decided to emphasize, building an interpretive trail on its side. Throughout the climb to the chapel, information panels inform you about the origin of this rock formation and the geology of the region.

Tariff: 3 € (child under 18: 50 €).

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: easy (but pentu).

The village of Queyrières has the originality of being built around a dark sombre. This short walk around the village invites us to discover this lava rock, with geometric shapes shaped by erosion, thanks to an interpretive trail. Information panels return to the use that Man made of this volcanic stone to develop his environment and how she marked the history of Queyrières.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 30 minutes.

Difficulty: very easy.

Just at the foot of Saint Michel rock, you must stop there before or after climbing. Also known as the Temple of Diane, the chapel, built in 962, is a technical and human achievement. It would be the old chapel of the hospital of the poor Saint-Nicolas-d'Aiguilhe. The lintel describes the phases of rotation of the moon around the solar star and the arcades are decorated with beautiful diamond-shaped mosaics. Behind St. Clair Chapel, the magic square is an opportunity to widen its head around this esoteric enigma. In 1850, the SUD and OPERA inscriptions were discovered in the embrasement of the south window in the gallery of Saint-Michel Chapel. These two words belong to the magic square composed of five superimposed words, ROTAS, OPERA, TENET, AREPO, SATOR, which can read in all directions. The treasure, discovered in 1955 during the renovation of the altar, consists of relics - christ, woven fabrics, ivory boxes - whose origins are estimated at the time of construction. Also note the recently cleaned frescoes, which are in very good condition.