Laval-sur-Doulon walks

The trails on this route will take you on a journey of discovery through the villages on the outskirts of the market town of Laval-sur-Doulon. Most are permanently inhabited. The two mills at Diat and Le Vialard have ceased operations, but their ‘engine’, the River Doulon, still flows. The trails are often shaded, so you can hike here in summer.

This route crosses part of the forest in the municipality of Cistrières, starting from the village of Condat. The hamlets, which are now sparsely populated or uninhabited, were once lively, as evidenced by an old school in Condat and the houses of Béates au Faud and Les Montilles. But during mushroom season, you will encounter many mushroom pickers there.

This walk offers you the chance to discover several viewpoints over the Sancy and Cézallier massifs and the Allier Valley.

Discover Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon by following the course of the Doulon river, which once powered numerous mills. Pass through the undergrowth and villages where you will find chapels and wash houses.

Following this route, you will pass successively through forest, fields and pastures. You will discover the volcanic activity of the village of Moissac Bas, its pond and its forming peat bog.

The commune of Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon covers a large area of around 35 hectares and comprises around 30 villages and hamlets. During this route, you will discover some of them, all bearing witness to a rural past where agriculture was the main activity. You will discover a chapel, an old school and some splendid views.

This route starts at the lowest point in the commune of Saint-Didier and leads to almost the highest point. You will discover a castle, a remarkable sequoia tree, the ruins of a mill and splendid views.

Leaving the village of Cistrières, you will mainly be walking through the forest. These woods are dotted with hamlets that were once home to agricultural activity. Most of the farms have been renovated and are now inhabited. The paths are well maintained and easy to walk on. You will find peace and quiet here, and cool shade from the trees in summer.

In good weather, this route offers superb panoramic views of the Auvergne mountains at Fiossat. From the coudert (communal land) at Le Pin, you will have a magnificent view of the Château de Domeyrat. A visit to Vals-le-Chastel is a must: castle, church and seigneurial chapel. At Frugières station, you can visit the Resistance Museum and, on the way back, don't miss the church in Frugières.

In the heart of the Livradois-Forez Regional Park, a beautiful walk from hamlet to hamlet, through forests and fields, and an opportunity to discover or rediscover La Chaise-Dieu and its rich heritage.

This route allows you to discover the Senouire valley between Domeyrat and Esbelin, a small "limagne" (flat area) framed by wooded slopes. The Senouire accompanies you with its murmurs all along the route, where you can sometimes hear it without seeing it. The majestic 12th-century feudal castle with its imposing ruins dominating the village is sure to impress, and the old Romanesque bridge completes the medieval feel of the village.

A circular route towards the Senouire valley starting from Collat.

Along the Vallée de Dieu (Valley of God), the former name given to the Senouire valley, this walk combines the pleasure of walking with the discovery of the Haute Loire's heritage. It takes us from the village of Lavaudieu, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to the impressive towers of the medieval castle of Domeyrat.

Lavaudieu is one of the most beautiful villages in France. This walk invites you to leave the village and stroll through the surrounding hills, passing through villages such as Buze, whose houses are built of red arkose.

Lavaudieu, listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", will be the starting point for your hike. During the first part of the hike, you can admire beautiful views of the Cézallier, the Massif du Sancy and the Puy de Dôme. During the second part, you will follow the Allier gorges on a balcony trail. During the last part, you can discover a magnificent chapel and pastoral meadows.

Starting from Allevier, the route climbs through fields and villages, then enters the woods. Throughout the route, you will have a splendid view of the Sancy, Cézallier, Cantal and Margeride mountains.

Starting from the Lavaux Pond (the pond is a former clay quarry), the route crosses pastures and fields and then reaches the woods on the heights of Saint-Préjet-Armandon.This route passes through villages with houses built from basalt stones from a distant volcanic period. Take the time to wander through the villages and notice the old workshops of blacksmiths and carpenters, and the communal ovens. Listen carefully and you may hear the sound of a hammer on an anvil or a carpenter's saw... These villages, once bustling with activity, are now quiet.

A walk through woodland, vineyards, farmland and orchards in the plains and mountains of Livradois.

A discovery walk in Brioude, a small town in Auvergne boasting one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the region, the Basilica of Saint-Julien.

The route follows a variety of paths and landscapes, offering superb panoramic views of the Auvergne mountains, including the Puy de Dôme and the Allier valley. The trails lead to pastures, woods and streams.

You will discover two landscapes. The walk starts in Chassagnes, crosses part of Chaliergues (the Paulhaguet basin), an area dedicated to agriculture, then climbs gradually through the woods, passing through hamlets that are mostly restored and inhabited.

A short walk around the church of Vieille-Brioude, in an open-air eco-museum dedicated to vines and wine, in the form of a succession of small priests' gardens.

This route passes through the villages on the eastern side of the Paulhaguet basin called Le Chaliergue. It corresponds to the lower volcanic plateau of Paulhaguet, at around 600 m, drained by the Senouire. The name was once written Callianicum and refers to stones, a stony area; it is also known as the Paulhaguet plateau. The panorama opens up from Jaroussier and Scombalou.

Half-day hike in the heart of the Livradois Forez Regional Nature Park, allowing you to discover the Lac de Malaguet Regional Nature Reserve and its surroundings, alternating between forest and meadow...

A short walk through a peaceful, rural setting that provides the perfect backdrop to this village and its chapel.

This is a fairly short walk, but there are two different worlds to discover: in the footsteps of George Sand, the enchanting world of the peat bog nestled in the crater of an ancient Strombolian volcano (unique in Europe) and the medieval village of Allègre with its many remains, including the famous "Potence" (gallows). In both cases, there are numerous information panels to tell you more....