The most beautiful natural sites to discover Auvergne

Before leaving Chilhac, the geology fans will stop a few kilometers from the village, near Peyre, towards Chambon. A few hundred metres during the road, the road runs through imposing basaltic casting from strombolien-type volcanoes located above: the king's peak and the peak of Ponnet. In some places, the erosion of the Allier caused the fall of lava pillars that were dissociated from the wall. See if you are in the vicinity.

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 lake of Malaguet, private property of the Rollet family, is situated at 1 025 metres above sea level, at the limit of Auvergne and Du, in the heart of Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park. A dam built downstream on the western point is the origin of this 22 hectare water plan. The lake of Malaguet is characterized by its exceptional site, set in a landscape of forests and meadows, away from the residential areas and traffic axes. It offers a wild and preserved nature, conducive to the practice of fly fishing and relaxation.

Water Mother is a little frequented stream that descends from the Monts Mountains, where it winds in very wooded gorges. Downstream of Sauxillanges, the river widens to 5 m, and flows lazily in the middle of the meadows, alternating with smooth lengths lined with roots, with little little currents. Its bed, covered with sand and gravel, is often bordered by large trees, which can make the practice of fly fishing delicate. Upstream of Sauxillanges, where the river is bordered with conifers, trout are numerous but often small. On this route, on the contrary, trees leave the place to pasture and trout, whose density remains important, reaches more interesting dimensions. This very rich water also houses a good wall population, while the chevesnes are only starting to show up from Saint-Rémy-de-Charniat.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

The Club receives FFN membership from June 1 to August 31 on its land on the road of Nades, Ebreuil in Allier.

Official naturist beach on the water. Access exclusively by Domaine de la.