The most beautiful natural sites to discover Rhône-Alpes

Take the road on the left at the exit of Saurier - previously if you wish to climb at the peak of Brionnet, see its chapel and its basaltic organs. Gradually the valley tightened, the Couze is even more savage, faster, the aulnes on its course, the beech that climbing the mountain leaves this and there beautiful granitic pointements. The forced driving that runs above the bed of the river by following the road gâche the site somewhat, especially in autumn, when these gorges are the most beautiful. In Courgoul you could have a stop to seeing the return of young people to the pailhats, these walls which retain thin strips of land, called elsewhere bancels or faïsses and which allowed hard work to maintain a small living mixed polyculture and thereby the maintenance on the ground of the people. From the Valbeleix we are now rolling on the casting of the Mont-Cineyre volcano - splendid lake at the foot of the volcano with its black lapilli beaches - access takes place after Compains where we end our getaway. Possible return by Besse in Chandesse for a substantially identical kilometre is just under 40 km.

This site of information on the activities and news of the commune of Talloires-Montmin, at the foot of the Tournette and the Dents teeth, on the east shore of Lake Annecy, addresses both residents and visitors. It also contains information about the protected sites such as the reserve of the Roc de Chère but also on the port of Talloires and its tariffs, events and events scheduled year round with updated details. Everything you need to know about the villages and their natural and cultural heritage as well as the possibilities for accommodation and catering. A very complete site!

The walking tour - a half-hour walk - begins in the roundabout of Vieux-Murten after crossing the village towards the pond of Murten. This beautiful parcel is now completely regenerated because some trees were ill or mature. The last beautiful specimens spread over 13 hectares are kept by the NFB and classified as a Biological Reserve.

Surrounded by the Forez Mountains, the Vivarais Mountains, the Massifs, Pilat and Devès Mountains, this forest of nearly 1 200 hectares extends to the territory of five municipalities: Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, Champclause, Queyrières, Araules and Yssingeaux. The Meygal massif impresses with its dense and wide coat of thorns. The forest is composed mostly of conifers, a veritable botanical garden where many varieties of plants blend: digitale, achillea, pectic, gentian… You will also find the famous ceps and other chanterelles. Its planting, on a lande lande, dates back to the late th century. The GR 65 (chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle), in its part which goes from Geneva to Puy-en-Velay, crosses this forest. Winter skiing enthusiasts will find their own happiness here.

A road, connected, connects this vast natural promontory to the villages of Bordeyrac and Espinasse. At more than 1 000 m altitude, the camp of Antoune is at the top of a basaltic casting that dominates the gorges of the Loire. At the entrance to the site, an explanatory panel, with plan, provides indications on this platform that was fortified, probably in the Celtic era. In the periphery of this hectare plateau, you will notice remains of some small watchtower. Interestingly, the places have a magnetism that going the compass needle and the radiesthésie antennae. This site is now protected and registered by the association Les Amis d'Antoune.

Words may sometimes be misleading. This lake, as you will have understood, is not really one. It is a bog nestled between two volcanoes. But is that why the point is not worth a detour? Quite the opposite! The flora is particularly rich in this cool and cool place and the fans of this fruit of the wood that is raspberry will be filled. The egg lake is just a few kilometres away from Montbonnet.

The granite chaos, nestled between pine trees, is worth a visit. Good shoes are recommended to reach the top of the stone blocks. The three cross crosses overlooking the site and the steps cut in the rock testify to the traditional know-how of stone cutters. The orientation table interprets the wide panorama of the Cantal Mountains, Margeride and Aubrac. Free spot for climbing blocks, the site is located on a hiking circuit, starting from Saint-Just, passing through another local curiosity: the fountain of eyes. The chaos is offered to the walkway only if it leaves the large sandy road and walk in the pine forest over a hundred meters.

There is information from the facilitators and the interactive and interactive exhibitions, including «In my sky, the Barded Gypate», devoted to this fascinating «bone-in», which is seriously threatened with extinction. The wildlife area has a very explicit model presenting animal life strategies in winter and the valley model allows to better understand the topology of the circus, the documentation space. Nature and child entertainment are also organized. In summer, a second welcome point is located at the entrance to the reserve at the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval circus.

The rock Charlemagne is well known to climbing fans. This initiation site (diffculté 3 to 7 C +) culminates at a height of 60 m and proposes about 70 channels. You will find it near the bridge of Braynand, once it is crossed.

This site presents an incomparable panorama of the mountains of the Madeleine with the castle of the Cornes Horns, the Black Woods with the monastery of Notre-Dame-de-l'Hermitage, the Monts Mountains with the radars of Pierre-sur-Haute, the highest point of the department at 1 634 meters, the Monts du Lyonnais with the Matagrin Tower, the Neulise plateau, the Forez plain, so on. that, in clear time, a view on the Alpine channel. Next to you will see the castle of water dating back to 1961, which was far from by its form in mushroom, the Madonna representing the Virgin of Lourdes and dating from 1885 and a mileage coming from the hamlet of Vassauges, where the Roman route crossed the town from east to west and connected Lyon to Clermont-Ferrand.

The Maison du Parc des Monts d'Ardèche is located in the heart of a 40-hectare estate, at the foot of the last extinct volcano in the Vivarais region: the Coupe de Jaujac. Visitors can explore the site all year round, following the "coulée vive" interpretation trail and exploring the garden designed to host biodiversity, which has been awarded the "refuge LPO" label. During the summer, visitors are welcomed inside the Maison du Parc, where they can discover original exhibitions, find information and a bookshop, make purchases in the boutique and enjoy a water bar. The Maison du Parc is an essential stop-off point for exploring the riches of the Monts d'Ardèche.

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!

Our teams are on hand to answer your questions and advise you on what to do, where to go, where to eat, how to get there and where to swim. You'll also find souvenirs such as Cliousclat Mirmande perched village bowls, Mirmande postcards, maps of France's most beautiful villages and guidebooks to France's most beautiful villages.

In the same spirit as the Paradis de Queuille, the Belvédère des Ancizes offers a magnificent panorama of the Sioule valley and allows you to become aware of its winding, steep and wild course. This beautiful viewpoint overlooks the river before it reaches the Fades reservoir, just before the Pont du Bouchet. A panel displays a map of the Combrailles and some explanations. The place is also a nice place to have a picnic and the opportunity to make nice walks in the surroundings and, why not, finish the day at the water level of Les Fades.

Discover the waterfall of the Alpe du Grand Serre, sometimes frozen, offering you a relaxing and calm area only 5 minutes walk in the heart of the resort.

Talking about planets in the middle of the woods is a laughable idea! It was, however, what was wanted by Gérard Rémillier, a guide by the National Forestry office, and let it be clear: it is a success! The wooded path is punctuated with questions and answers on the theme of the stars, game to which small as well as great will be happy between a look at the vegetation, and an ear by that to listen to the sound of the cloches of cows. In sum, if it takes an hour to survey the course, it is not unlikely that you will spend more time!

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

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: .

Among the beautiful villages of Saint-flour, Chaliers stands out by its exceptional site, a rocky promontory overlooking the Truyère and offers a beautiful panorama on the Monts mountains. He entered history from 20 to 26 June 1380, when Bertrand Du Guesclin placed the seat ahead of Chaliers and delivered his castle. He distinguished himself in 2016 with a presentation of village accommodation at the French pavilion of the Biennale of Architecture of Venice.

Its peaceful character, its breathtaking view of the Truyère gorge, is ideal for exploring its rich heritage, including the Saint-Michel church, dating from the th century, blending Romanesque and Gothic style. You will notice its novel portal with its bichromes boudin, supported by columns with corinthians capitals. The presbytery, built in the th century, is remarkable for its sculpted stone door frame. Take a detour, it's really worth it.

The beach of Mama is a unique opportunity to practice naturism in Lyon. Instead, to be precise north of the Grand Parc of Méribel-Jonage. Between G and H benchmarks at the restaurant La Mama, 200 meters of public beach welcomes you. The specificity of this corner: The pleasure of practicing naturism in all simplicity by city order dating back to 2009. All generations come to relax, enjoy the beautiful days in a friendly and friendly atmosphere.

The Maison des étangs du Forez and the Réserve de Biterne, located in Arthun, offer visitors an exceptional natural setting in which to stroll and enjoy the landscape of the Forez ponds. The Réserve de Biterne offers an open-access trail with three observatories for watching the ponds and wild waterfowl. The Maison des étangs du Forez, meanwhile, houses an interactive exhibition on the ponds of the Forez region, as well as an observatory offering a breathtaking view of the Reserve's ponds. The discovery trail and observatories are open to visitors every day. To reach the Maison des étangs du Forez and the Réserve de Biterne, simply follow the road signs from the D42.

The Sivom Aménagement du Lac de Monteynard is one of the region's must-see tourist attractions. The Sivom offers a range of activities and attractions, including the Himalayan footbridges, the Monteynard-Avignonet dam and information areas. The Sivom is made up of elected municipal representatives from the 10 communes bordering the lake, with a president and vice-presidents. The current president is Laurent Maleval, and the three vice-presidents are Jean Michel Brugnera, Pierrick Bonenfant and Richard Passelande.

Grenoble is a city with many sensitive natural areas (ENS) to discover. The Isère department has created a network of almost 150 ENS, comprising 17 departmental ENS and 128 local sites, in order to preserve and enhance the region's biodiversity. These sites are home to exceptional flora and fauna, with 287 species of birds, 78 species of dragonflies and 87 species of mammals recorded. The ENS are remarkable places for discovering biodiversity, open to the public and respectful of the natural heritage. They also help to offset urbanization by preserving natural areas. Take advantage of these preserved natural areas to experience nature close to home in Grenoble.

By chance, by looking for a new coal deposit, the source Hydroxydase © Marie-Christine was discovered in 1908. The inhabitants of Breuil-sur-Couze discovered the virtues of this water, especially to accelerate healing. Exploitation began in 1912 and continues today. The water is captured between 90 and 110 meters deep, having spent 7,000 years underground. Rather confidential, this water is recognized for its digestive virtues thanks to its unique composition as it combines sodium and calco-magnesian bicarbonatée. It owes its name to its oxydo-reducing properties. From the original source, there is a tiny park accessible to all free of charge. If you want to taste the Hydroxydase ©, you will need to go to the pharmacy.

Nature lovers can stroll along the largest freshwater lakes in Western Europe. The quays are dotted with presentations explaining the formation and the life of Geneva. Beyond that, only around 50 % of the shore is easily accessible, the law there requests it though not respected… In Vongy, under a large viaduc railway, you will find a pass and scale that allow trouts to reproduce upstream.

Municipal authority of 1985. Beach open only to club members Les Amis d'Alpes and Sun.

Municipal authority of 1997. On Lake Geneva, naturism on a portion of the beach of La Pinède.