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.

Details

1001545
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.58 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 260 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 260 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 929 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 793 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking in the heart of Chaspinhac, Place des Granges (cross, fountains, oven, etc.).

(S/E) Head north and take Rue de La Chabanne, which starts to the left of a cross.
There is a small wooden sign indicating the direction of "Saint Quentin" with red and white markings (GR®3F) for 4 to 5 km.
After 350 m, near the village exit, turn left onto Rue de Chassaure.

(1) At the village exit, at the crossroads of roads and tracks, continue straight ahead on the ascending track (red and white markings + salamander logo). Stay on the main track, ignoring all small paths or tracks for 1 km.

(2) At the entrance to the village of Brouilhac, in front of the cross, turn left and take the downhill track.
Ignore all paths and continue following the red and white signs.

(3) After 800m on this track, take the path downhill to the left with the no entry sign. This is the path that leads to the uninhabited village of Saint-Quentin, 1km away.
400m further down, leave theGR® for a short while to make a return trip to the hamlet of Saint-Quentin (not signposted) by continuing along the track that descends to the left.

(4) After visiting the hamlet of Saint-Quentin, turn around and rejoin theGR® (red and white) by turning left onto the first track.
250m further on, at the crossroads, continue on the left-hand track.

(5) When you reach a small road, turn left, continue for 100 metres and leave the red and white markings behind you, taking the first path on the right marked in yellow. Very soon, in front of a field, this path continues to the left along a track that is somewhat overgrown with brambles but passable.
after 700m, you will arrive at the hamlet of Pouzat. Go around it on the left and follow the small path that climbs up to the right behind the house.

(6) After 300m, at the crossroads, take the track on the right that climbs back up to the plateau, still marked in yellow (PR®). When you reach the village of Chassaure, descend to the right.

(7) 50m further down, turn left onto the road and leave the yellow markings. Admire the beautiful round fountain carved from granite, half buried in the ground.

(8) On leaving the village, just before the sign for "Chassaure", take the path on the right marked in orange (a bridle path). 800m further on, in Brouilhac, turn left, follow the houses and you will reach a crossroads.

(9) Turn right towards a last group of houses, follow the sign for "Saint Quentin" and leave the orange markings. After these few houses, you will arrive near a cross.

(2) Take the track you took on the way there, following the red and white signs.
At the entrance to Chaspinhac, reach the Place des Granges by turning right into Rue de La Chabanne (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 864 m - Parking in the centre of Chaspinhac, Place des Granges
  2. 1 : km 0.5 - alt. 881 m - Chaspinhac exit: continue straight ahead on the track
  3. 2 : km 1.5 - alt. 900 m - Entrance at Brouilhac
  4. 3 : km 2.36 - alt. 851 m - No entry: access to St Quentin on the left.
  5. 4 : km 3.34 - alt. 812 m - Hamlet of Saint-Quentin
  6. 5 : km 5.19 - alt. 862 m - Cross the small road on the left.
  7. 6 : km 6.28 - alt. 865 m - Crossroads on the right.
  8. 7 : km 7.67 - alt. 880 m - Chassaure: road on the left.
  9. 8 : km 7.99 - alt. 890 m - Chassaure exit: horse trail on the right.
  10. 9 : km 8.8 - alt. 912 m - Brouilhac: crossroads, turn right.
  11. S/E : km 10.58 - alt. 864 m - Parking in the heart of Chaspinhac, Place des Granges

Notes

Easy route, a pair of good walking shoes is sufficient.
With children, caution is advised at one or two viewpoints over the gorges.

Worth a visit

- The hamlet of Saint-Quentin, uninhabited since 1955 and revived thanks to the magnificent work of an association: the Maison de Séraphie, open on Sunday afternoons during the summer, summer festival (6-7-8 July 2018), shows, concerts, etc.

Within a radius of about 15 km, there is a rich heritage:
- the Polignac fortress on its volcanic hill (PASS'ESPACE 3 monuments Polignac-Rocher Saint-Michel- Rocher Corneille from 1 April to 11 November),
- the town of Le Puy-en-Velay, which takes more than a day to explore,
notre-Dame-du-Puy cathedral (with its cloister and Black Madonna),
. the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe Chapel, dating from 962, perched on its 82-metre-high volcanic neck. The statue of Notre-Dame-de-France on the Corneille rock watches over the old town and its labyrinth of narrow streets.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
HmJm50
HmJm50
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, enjoyed in sunny weather. No particular difficulties.

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User 3066842

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

smooth

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User 21454231

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short hike with beautiful views. The trail is well marked, and we plan to do it again with friends

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Michouf
Michouf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In summer, it is best to go hiking in the morning when it is cooler. Don't forget to take water with you.
The village is charming and offers a beautiful view of the Loire River below.

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senior rando
senior rando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

an easy route, but beware of the heat. The village is undergoing restoration and looks magnificent. Well done to those responsible for the restoration work. We visited and there were only two of us, which was an advantage. I think that large numbers detract from the charm and prevent you from fully appreciating everything

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Augustinlefebvre
Augustinlefebvre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An absolutely splendid walk in every way!

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Mathon
Mathon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning views. Easy.

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fch53
fch53

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route with magnificent views of the Puy en Velay basin, the Loire Valley and, in the distance, the Devès mountains and Mézenc. St Quentin is a superb site, but the sign saying "le café de St Quentin est ouvert" (St Quentin café is open) seems to have been forgotten. I highly recommend this walk in good weather.

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armelle42
armelle42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

i did this route last Saturday afternoon. There were quite a few visitors at the ruins of St Quentin, but the rest of the route was quiet
It's a very pleasant route with no difficulties, offering beautiful views and magnificent panoramas of Le Puy
And you can see the Mézenc in the distance

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Marc Vandevelde
Marc Vandevelde

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike. The ruins of St. Quentin, located on the edge of the cliff overlooking the Loire Gorges, are interesting. The route offers beautiful views of the region.

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RitonRandonneur
RitonRandonneur
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk with stunning views. I can only confirm the previous comments. In St Quentin, they opened a bar, but it was closed when we passed by. I know it was open in the afternoon because I saw some young people stop by and have a drink. It's a shame because I would have liked to leave a donation for the restoration of the buildings, as there was one that needed work and it was very nice. Definitely worth a visit

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Marievirginie
Marievirginie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2030
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

beautiful view over the Puy en Velay basin

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Crunch
Crunch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike. No difficulty.
With a lovely stop at the hamlet of St Quentin and several beautiful views of the Puy valley and then the Loire gorges. Very nice!

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Florence43700
Florence43700

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent panoramic views! Breathtaking! A minor error in the directions was quickly corrected, good description, well done!

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Bost Didier
Bost Didier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with superb panoramic views as far as St Quentin, well worth the detour. The paths are very accessible and easy to walk on. The route is well signposted and difficult to get lost. An easy hike that is suitable for families.
The time allowed leaves plenty of time for contemplation. Google estimates 2 hours and 10 minutes, but it took us 1 hour and 50 minutes. We were a group of six people.
Beautiful autumn colours.

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