Les Fonds de la Salesse

Discovery hike around Paulhac, very easy and ideal for those new to mountain biking, especially children. It is also accessible to pedestrians, horses and even people with all-terrain pushchairs (3 wheels).

Details

72658
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 80 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 73 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,122 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,034 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Departure from the village hall, Route de Saint-Flour. Go to the Rue Le Bourg crossroads.

(1) Turn right and follow the signs for Prat de Bouc, pass in front of Saint Roch Church and, at the fountains in the school car park, take the local road on the right, continue along it and cross the RD34.
Continue to the village of Les Chazeaux and drive through it. Follow the tree-lined path to the left of the farm building.

(2) Take the rural road on the right opposite the old mechanic's garage.
At the end of the rural road, take the tree-lined path that leads to the village of La Salesse, "about 300m" on the road: do not take the first entrance, but continue along the road in front of the livestock building and take the second entrance to admire a magnificent 15th-century cross.

(3) Cross the village of La Salesse, then follow the signs to the Tombe de la Dame (12th-century Romanesque sarcophagus).

(4) Continue along the path and take the rural track that leads to the village of Pradalanche, where you can see the restored oven and the flower-covered wash house, as well as the basalt fountains.

(5) At the village exit, take the road on the right, which leads to Paulhac for 300 metres, and continue along the tree-lined path that will take you to the first houses in the housing estate. Return to the initial crossroads.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,091 m - Parking at the village hall
  2. 1 : km 0.17 - alt. 1,101 m - Carrefour Le Bourg
  3. 2 : km 1.07 - alt. 1,113 m - Les Chazeaux
  4. 3 : km 3.19 - alt. 1,039 m - La Salesse
  5. 4 : km 4.47 - alt. 1,053 m - The Tomb of the Lady
  6. 5 : km 5.55 - alt. 1,093 m - Pradalanche
  7. S/E : km 6.24 - alt. 1,091 m - Parking at the village hall

Notes

Given the length of the route, a simple bottle of water will suffice.
However, you will need good trainers for hiking, as the route is not entirely flat.
Salesse village: you can buy farmhouse Salers and Cantal cheeses, as well as Tomme cheese, to make local dishes such as aligot or truffade.

Worth a visit

Don't miss the 15th-century cross in La Salesse: a cylindrical cross with arms ending in four hooks.
On the front, Christ is surrounded by the Virgin Mary and Saint Julian, bishop and patron saint of the parish. On the back, the Virgin of Piety is accompanied by Saint John the Baptist holding a lamb.
The Tomb of the Lady: local tradition has it that this 12th-century monument owes its origin to a lady of quality who was travelling to Saint Flour during the winter. She was surprised by snow at this spot and killed by the bad weather. Her family had her buried there, at the foot of a cross that has since disappeared, and in the tomb that can still be seen today.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 21487576

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Alain 13680
Alain 13680

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little hike

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elisabeth maury
elisabeth maury

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you

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Hellisa
Hellisa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

With the exception of the view of Margeride, the appeal of this hike lies more in its Crusader heritage than in its landscapes, at least in winter. But it is still an enjoyable and accessible route. Although the last section (the wooded path to Paulhac) was flooded that day, we were able to avoid it by walking across the meadow overlooking the path.

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colettecollot
colettecollot

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

It's a shame the weather wasn't good. My only regret was that the landscapes were closed off.
The lady's tomb is impressive because there are no other buildings nearby to justify its presence in this location.
A lovely, peaceful little walk.

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Angelie
Angelie

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This hike is named and marked "La Tombe de la Dame" (The Lady's Tomb) and starts from Paulhac. The starting point is near the church, but the village hall offers a slightly larger car park. A very pleasant hike with beautiful views of the Planèze and Margerides mountains on the horizon.
Expect a few muddy patches in wet weather.

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fbqz
fbqz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant, fairly easy hike.

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