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Discovery tour of Le Puy-en-Velay and its monuments

As you follow this route, discover Le Puy-en-Velay (the starting point of the Way of St James) and its monuments: the cathedral, Rocher Corneille and the Statue of Notre-Dame de France, the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe Chapel, the cloister, the town hall, the theatre, the Crozatier Museum and the Henri-Vinay Garden.
Chemin de Stevenson (Robert Louis Stevenson Trail)

A 13-stage journey along the famous route described by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1878 travel notes. This tour follows the complete route from le Puy-en-Velay to Alès.
Le Puy-en-Velay - Monastier-sur-Gazeille

This route is the first stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. Please note that the signposting to follow the Chemin de Stevenson has been modified since 2016. On this first stage, following road repairs on the Le Puy bypass, this description follows this modified itinerary.
The Way of St James. Stage 1. Puy-en-Velay / St Privat d'Allier

Twenty to thirty thousand walkers set out from Puy-en-Velay every year to do the pilgrimage along the Way of St. James. Discover the Way of St. James by doing the first stage by foot. You can return to Puy-en-Velay in the evening in a special coach.
The Shepherd's Huts Trail

Discover the Chibottes Valley, a site classified as a landscape of outstanding beauty since 8 March 2016. These small dry stone huts, built from stones cleared from the plots of land, were used as shelters by shepherds and farmers who cultivated orchards and terraced vineyards (known as "chambées").
This trail forms a loop, partly following the Way of St James on the way back.
The wild Loire from Coubon via the Serre de la Fare

This hike starts in Coubon, a village that marks the southern boundary of the Puy-en-Velay basin and opens onto the Loire Gorges.The route makes a wide loop around the Serre de la Fare, a site that was the subject of fierce debate between environmentalists and developers over a dam project that was abandoned in 1991.The hike takes place in wild surroundings with remarkable views of the Loire and the Devès plateau.
Saint Quentin, a renovated hamlet overlooking the Loire Gorges

This tour of part of the Chaspinhac plateau offers numerous views of the Puy en Velay basin, Mont Bar and the Loire Gorges. It is an opportunity to discover Saint Quentin, a hamlet abandoned for more than fifty years that enthusiasts have restored and brought back to life in the summer months with exhibitions, shows or simply by sharing a drink.
The villages of La Blache and Le Riou

This route takes you on a discovery of the villages of Riou, with its wash house, and La Blache, with its bread oven. It also offers beautiful views of the Emblavez plain and the rounded or slightly pointed hills known locally as "les knolls".
Beaume Waterfall

Short circuit to visit the Beaume waterfall. Wear good shoes for the descent to the waterfall. Avoid pushchairs. In summer, you can swim.
Mont Recours in Beaulieu

This short route takes you to Mont Recours in the commune of Beaulieu, north of Le Puy-en-Velay. From the summit of this ancient volcanic vent, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Emblavez hills.
The Corbœuf Ravine

The first part of the route follows an old railway line that has been converted into a very wide carriageway. It continues with a tour of the small heritage sites (old bread oven and wash house) in the hamlet of Chastel. Finally, at the end of the route, when the trees open up, there is a view over the unusual Corbœuf ravine.
Loop around Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
A short, easy walk. Beautiful scenery throughout, and two pretty villages (Le Betz and Auteyrac) with beautifully restored houses. Also worth seeing is the Betz Observatory.
Le Knoll de Chapteuil from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil

This is an easy hike that offers beautiful views of the Saint-Julien basin and a visit to the ruins of the Château du Seigneur de Chapteuil. There are very few sections on small roads. This is a great hike if you have friends who are not used to hiking; they will come back delighted!
Monastier-sur-Gazeille - Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas

Second stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. It's at Monastier-sur-Gazeille, and thus with this second stage, that Stevenson's real route begins. From this point on, the route follows the GR®70 (Red and White markings). Please note: the markings have been slightly modified from those shown in violet on the IGN map (in particular to avoid a few short stretches of road).
The Meygal tour

This hike, in the heart of the Meygal forest, is ideal in the heat of summer. It offers beautiful views, especially from the summit of Testavoyre, where you can look out over the Meygal mountains.
Saint-Didier

A walk to discover the village of Saint-Didier-d'Allier from above. A beautiful descent from Chier to Saint-Didier overlooking the Allier valley, the Rouchoux Gorges and the castle of Saint-Didier.The return to Saint-Privat d'Allier is partly along the road, but it is narrow and very beautiful.
Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas - Pradelles

This route is the third stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This is undoubtedly the easiest stage of the tour. The route follows the GR®70 (follow the well-known GR® markings). Please note the route may have been slightly modified from what is shown on the map, in particular to avoid a few short stretches of busy road.
The Grand Testavoyre

This circuit takes you to the summit of the Grand Testavoyre (pronounced testa-wouaire), the highest point of the Meygal. From up there, you can see the entire massif, dotted with numerous conical peaks.
Another highlight of this hike is discovering the rural heritage, in particular the typical houses of the hamlet of Villaret and the false church of Monedeyres.
From Arlempdes to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.
The rock of Arlempdes

This walk offers a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Arlempdes (pronounced "Arlende"). Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France", it occupies a stunning site on a rocky spur overlooking the wild gorges of the Loire.
Panoramic loop between Vachères, Cossanges and Alleyrac
A lovely hike with little elevation gain. In the distance, the peaks of Mézenc. Alternating meadows, pretty hamlets and forests. Château de Vachères at the start.
On the slopes of Artias

This route runs beneath the watchful eye of the Château d'Artias, perched on its rocky spur. From its ruins, you will discover a unique view of the loops of the Loire as it flows through the dome-shaped hills typical of the region, known as knolls.
More walks in Le Puy-en-Velay
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