The Guide
Restaurants
Local favourite restaurants:
RESTAURANT MARQUET
16, rue Savaron
43100 BRIOUDE
Tel. 04 71 50 07 38
RESTAURANT COURT LA VIGNE
Le Bourg
43100 LAVAUDIEU
Tel. 04 71 76 45 79
HOTEL DE LA POSTE
av Paul Chambriard
43100 BRIOUDE
Tel. 04 71 50 14 62
LA PETITE ECOLE - RILHAC
43 360 VERGONGHEON
Tel : 04 71 76 97 43
AUBERGE DE CHASSIGNOLLES
Le Bourg
43440 CHASSIGNOLLES
Tel: 04 71 76 32 36
Non French cuisine:
Portuguese
LA TAVERNE ROYAL
59 rue Fontgiève
63000 CLERMONT FERRAND
Tel: 04 73 36 46 94
Tex - Mex
FIESTE GRANDE
28 rue des Chaussetiers
63000 CLERMONT FERRAND
Tel: 04 73 31 39 70
Tourist Information
OFFICE DE TOURISME DE BRIOUDE ET SA RÉGION
Place Lafayette
43100 BRIOUDE
Tel: 04 71 74 97 49
TOURIST WEBSITES
www.ot-brioude.fr
www.auvergne-centrefrance.com
21 Things to do in the Haute Loire and surrounds
1Nature/ Walks, Cycling, Scenic drives
There are trails that run through the miles of woods surrounding the house, these can be followed on foot or mountain bike. Maps and picnics baskets are available. Numerous other suggestions please ask and also see: www.lacroiseedeschemins.com
2
Adventure sports: Rafting, Canoe, kayaking, Bikes and Quad bikes and climbing the forest canopy. There are several clubs based locally, lessons and equipment hire available. Caters to all levels.
Tonic aventures: Tel. 04 71 77 25 64, www.tonic-aventure.fr
Sportival Haut-Allier: Tel. 04 71 74 70 42, www.sportival43.com
Parcours Aventure: Tel. 04 71 74 31 37, www.parc-aventure-foret.com
Canopy en forêt Château de la Rochelambert, St Paulien: Tel. mobile : 06 98 32 24 86, www.zoom43.fr/pros-haute-loire/canopy/page.html
3
Scenic trains & Cable Car
The Vélorail : A disused rail track has been adapted for exclusive use on specially adapted bikes operating on the tracks, www.velorail.com
In the summer the ‘discovery train’ runs for 85km between Courpiere and Sembadel, south of La Chaise Dieu, dissecting the magnificent Livradois-Forez National Park.
Le train touristique des Gorges de l'Allier, Tel. 04 71 77 70 17. One of the most scenic routes in France, www.trainstouristiques-ter.com.
Take the Cable car and climb 1885m from Mont Dore. Spectacular scenery and walks at the summit.
4
Skiing
The region has several excellent ski resorts catering to all levels.
For general info: www.auvergne-neige.info
Resorts:
Superlioran: www.lelioran.com
Super besse: www.sancy.com
Les estables: www.mezenc-gerbier.com
5
‘Beautiful villages of France’
Officially recognised villages in the area:
Lavadieu, Blesle, Pradelles, Arlempes, Auzon, Usson, Montpeyroux
6
Windmills Ally
See old and new windmills as well as a chance to explore a local mine in a stunning location. Tours and walks.
www.planete-eolienne.fr/parcs_hteloire_ally.htm
7
Local Markets
Saturday mornings from 7am- 1pm. Three of the best!
Le Puy en velay, Brioude and Langeac
8
Swimming and Boating
Several lakes offer swimming and boating as well as walks and dining facilities. Including lac buchon, a volcanic lake. For more info please enquire.
9
Volcanoes
Vulcania theme park
www.vulcania.com
Drive up the Puy de dome for an amazing view of the Chaine des Puys, 112 extinct volcanoes stretching 30 km from Clermont Ferrand.
Drive to the spectacular Puy Mary and along the Peyrol pass (stunning) www.puymary.fr
Visite des Volcans in a 4x4:- Tel. mobile : 06 87 31 90 46
10
Spa and Water Towns
The region is world famous for its beautiful and grand Belle Epoque Spa towns and spring waters. These include: St Nectaire, Bourboule, Mont Dore, Vichy and Royat amongst others.
www.auvergne-thermale.tm.fr
11
National Parks
The area boasts two of Frances largest National Parks.
www.parc-livradois-forez.org
www.parc-volcans-auvergne.com
12
Family Fun
There are numerous family activities from sports, Bowling, Karting, to adventure parks, horse and pony trekking and wildlife centres as well as all kinds of interactive museums.
There are countless events during the summer months including village fetes, jumble sales, bric a brac. Please enquire at the Chambre d’Hotes for our activity list.
Closer to home we also have outdoor table tennis. Bats and balls available and many board games.
13
Ballooning, Flying Lessons
Balloon trips, flights over the National Volcano Park offering panoramas of 80 volcanoes. Glass of champagne at the journey's end. Flights leave Clermont Ferrand airport.
www.objectif-montgolfiere.com
14
There are so many castles, chateaux, Romanesque churches, historic buildings and museums nearby, it would be a guide in itself to list them all here. Please ask, we have lots of info leaflets, books and maps.
15
Historic Towns and Cities
Le Puy en Velay is a Unesco world heritage site. Described in the 'Eyewitness Guide’ as one of the most dramatic towns in France. It was and is an important pilgrim stop on the route to Santiago de Compostela.
Places to visit: Medieval holy city, Chappelle St Michel perched high on a steep lava rock, Cathedral Notre Dame and its famous Black Madonna.
www.ot-lepuyenvelay.fr
Clermont Ferrand - capital of the region
Places to visit: Cathedral de Notre Dame, the Basilque. The pedestrianised centre is a time warp of quite streets and alleys teaming with little shops and renaissance houses. It has a buzzy nightlife with many eateries, bars and of course shops.
www.ot-clermont-ferrand.fr
16
Millau Bridge
Designed by Norman Foster, the world’s tallest road bridge, crosses the massif central. A 90 min drive down the A75, but worth seeing!
www.leviaducdemillau.com
17
St Jacques Route
For those interested in following the pilgrims trail:
www.lacroiseedeschemins.com/gr65.htm
18
Lafayette at Chavaniac
The birthplace and chateaux of General Lafayette, an important figure in the American war of independence.
www.chateau-lafayette.com
19
Cheese and Gastronomy
The Auvergne is world famous for its cheeses. You can do the cheese tour. Try local cheeses and other specialities by dining with us.
If you are interested in gastronomy, we are happy to advise of the many speciality shops selling local fare and products and some fabulous Auvergne eateries.
20
Allier and Allagnon Gorges
Visit these spectacular valleys, with hilltop picturesque villages including: St Ilpize, Leoting, Prades. Numerous walks and cycling routes.
www.haut-allier.com
21
Festivals and events. A few of the best!
www.festivaldaquarelle.com - Art in watercolour - Brioude
www.roideloiseau.com - Medieval street pageant, joust, jugglers - Le Puy en Velay
www.chaise-dieu.com - Classical Music festival - Chaise Dieu
www.clermont-filmfest.com - International short film festival Clermont Ferrand
Recommended Activities/ Trips
Visit Puy Mary and the Monts du Cantal
Le Puy en Velay and take a drive to the chateau of Polignac one of the first great Loire houses.
Drive to lake Guery along and stop at lake Chambon for lunch or a picnic.
Allier Gorge stopping at St ilpize to visit the hilltop chateaux and church and
Continue to Lavoute Chilac for lunch or picnic by the river. Continue to Prades
with its strange rock formations.
Visit Chateau du Val and Bort les Orgues and spend a leisurely day by the lake.
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