The most beautiful natural sites to discover France

Below Chaudeyrolles, there is a marsh covered with a giant cauldron called "the Narces". In south Velay, narce means wetland, swamp. Instead, the term. is used. Until the end of the Second World War, the inhabitants of Chaudeyrolles had accustomed themselves in the early summer to pick up peat, a mixture of rotten wood, plants and land. This peat was shaped into small bricks that were drying in the sun so that they lost their water. In winter, these small, light and porous peat bricks used fuel to fuel furnaces (as in Ireland). Chaudeyrolles was probably the only commune in the department to use peat as a means of heating. The peat bog is now reduced due to the exploitation of peat and drainage to allow grazing.

2 km from the village, an altitude lake (1 236 m) formed in the volcano explosion crater (maar). This 30 ha lake is fed by underground sources and small streams. The study of its depths (7 metres of water covering almost 130 000 metres of vase) has allowed scientists to assess the climates and landscapes of the Mezenc massif of yesteryear, dating back nearly years! It is populated by various fish varieties: . carp and trout. It's private property, you don't have access to it, but a pleasant trail makes it a big tour.

The famous forest of Fougères is a place of walk not to be missed. Composed mainly of oaks and beeches, the forest, which still contains some megalithic remains such as the cordon of druids or the curled stone (a dolmen with a gallery), was once the landmark of the Chouans during the Revolution. Discover the 12th century Landéan cellar, which is a vaulted underground room supported by eleven arches. Legend has it that the two staircases leading to it would connect the cellars to the castle of Fougères. This forest now covers 1,500 hectares and is made up of the woods of La Motte, Rumignon and even the forest of Villecartier. On site, you can take a healthy route, hiking trails such as those of the Old Castles, the Long Christmas, the Roman Way, the Pierre Enfouie or the Pierre Courcoulée, not to mention the mountain bike trails. To experience a great adventure with friends or family, participate in a geocaching session. This is a virtual treasure hunt where you have to discover clues via an application to install on your smartphone. In the heart of the forest, there is also an activity and leisure centre called Le Chênedet, which has existed since 1978. It offers a variety of activities and playgrounds for children. A little something extra in summer: a supervised swimming area will delight holidaymakers. For more information on hiking trails and geocaching, do not hesitate to contact the Fougères tourist office.

To go from Koenig-sur-Méouge to Ribiers, you cross the famous gorges of Méouge. Located 5 km south of Laragne, the Méouge Gorges are classified as a biological reserve and represent a real gem for the department. Designated as a Marvel of the High Alps, the Gorges de la Méouge are bathed in heat and light and are a place for bathing and walking.

Picnic areas and dry toilets available for hikers.

These deep, winding gorges surround a fiery torrent that leapt, tourbillons shape, water holes, polished pebble beaches, natural reservoirs…

Even lovers of the old stones will be happy, admiring an old Roman bridge with three arches, still in very good condition, as well as the remains of a mill that was conquered by a flood in 1901. Grass geologists overlooks huge blocks of rock forming beautiful ivory-coloured strata. The curious will read with profit the explanatory panels of the fauna and flora: you are here in a Natura 2000 site full of Alpine, Provençal, Mediterranean, Iberian and even North Africa plants. So cool in summer, Méouge can also be lowered to kayaking in the spring or flown in plane or paragliding: from the site of Chabre, from where we have a superb panoramic view!

Under the great skies of Champagne, the hillsides covered with vines, the small valleys where villages and their Romanesque churches nestle and then, on the plateau, deep forests. From the Champagne plain, you can see the edge of the forest massif of the Reims mountain topping the slopes. The plateau culminates at 288 m, almost uniformly flat and covered on 20 000 ha with dense forests. Once owned by the abbeys of Reims and its surroundings, it is now divided between the 6 800 ha managed by the ONF and private properties.

La Brière or Grande Brière is a marsh located geographically north of the Loire estuary leading to the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Department of Loire-Atlantique. This is the second wetland in France right behind the Camargue. Since 1970, Grande Brière has been classified as a natural park. In Brière, more than elsewhere, man has shaped his environment, maintaining with him links of very specific appropriation and uses. There is little equivalent to the undivided property of the Grande Brière Mottière Marsh (6,850 hectares) by the inhabitants of 21 municipalities. This is nothing new since it was in 1461 that, for the first time, the official recognition of this property was proclaimed by letter patent of François II, Duke of Brittany. Even today, the Brierons continue to enjoy this property and manage their marsh themselves, which is, in certain respects, a true state in the state. You'll enjoy discovering this marsh,

including barges, traditional boats. The calm of this mode of transport makes it possible to discover a specific fauna and flora, such as: amphibious voles, mustache mesange, starry bucket and other bushards of rodents, plant side: great helophytes, chaising and other massettes…

This forest, which has become known as the Revolution, is a place of escape easily accessible from Chaumont. Several hiking and mountain biking trails allow you to turn around or at least discover part of it. The shortest trail is 4 km, while the longest runs 13 km. The departure can be made from three main places: the Lily area, from where there is a botanical trail, the Clear oaks area and its health course, and the area of the Fountain Sainte-Bookseller, which also includes a 9 km mountain bike circuit.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 p. m.

Difficulty: .

This 2,5 km walk from the castle park offers beautiful views over Lavardin and its castle. On the road you can admire Saint-Genest church, the cave site of the Rotte aux Farts, one of the many caves in the village where men settled several hundred years ago. Some are still inhabited! You will also find the Renaissance house of Florent Tissard dating back to the th century.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

At an altitude of 443 meters, the massive Gros Cerveau offers numerous walking trails and spectacular views. A botanical trail leads to the edge of the Gros Cerveau and its panoramic heights that stretches from the islands of Hyères, in the creeks of Cassis-Marseille and the entire chain of Sainte-Baume. You can visit the cave of Garou. Follow the signs of GR 51 in red, white, blue and green. The walking routes are available at the reception of the Tourism Office of Ollioules and it will tell you the difficult circuits.

On the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, you have to take the road that borders the coast on the right of the lighthouse and leads to a beach surmounted by rocks (where the steps arrive). It is dredge all year round rather in the daytime.

At the height of the city of Rayol, on the D 559 which runs along the coast, through the corniche des Maures. There are several naturist coves, below the road, where it is possible to practise naturism.

Attendance on the sandy beach of the Rosaires - 500 metres -, at the point of Pointe de la Horaine, after 15 minutes walking to the rock of the Tablets.

Beach tolerated 3 km north of Brétignolles-sur-Mer, known as Petit-Pont beach.

This beach with a high dune where naturism is tolerated is located 3 km north of Brétignolles-sur-Mer is accessible to the Cypress Campground - take the route to the Petit Pont restaurant. It is very busy on summer weekends. Mixed attendance, but appreciated by users of Cap Purely Centre who prefer it at St Hilaire Beach of Laugh where many voyeurs are walking, and with very dubious attendance in the dunes.