Tours-sur-Meymont walks

A hike in the heart of nature to discover a place steeped in history in the Dore river valley, on the borders of the Pays de Courpière, Cunlhat and Olliergues, in the heart of the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park. Part of the route follows "the old path", the ancient medieval road that linked Meymont to Cunlhat via Tours Sur Meymont through Alligier, Les Gouttes, etc.

Starting from Olliergues town hall, we head uphill along the cobbled path. Most of this third stage follows the white and green-marked ‘Tour de Pays’ trail as far as Le Brugeron. From Le Brugeron, head towards Le Grun de Batailler, passing the Begue mill (waterfall). Cross Le Clef. At La Croix de Sainte-Agathe, take a small road, pass through the hamlet of Rochefolle to reach the village of La Renaudie, where you’ll find the communal lodge.

Today, the only remains still visible of the presence of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem, who were here from the Middle Ages until the French Revolution of 1789, are scattered: a deconsecrated church, a stone coat of arms serving as a base for a wayside cross, a round tower fitted with a gun port in a former fortified house, a chapel converted into a dwelling, and a few carved stones on the edge of a communal plot. Nothing suggested that the former parish of Courtesserre, which was merged with that of Courpière during the Revolution, would be home to a ‘chief’ commandery in a sparsely populated region described as infertile, far from any town, major transport route or path leading to a place of pilgrimage.

Chestnut walking trail in Marat.

For the second stage of the route, we reach the right bank of Lake Aubusson, and after crossing the dam we follow aPR® path that climbs gently to take us to the village of Augerolles. We pass by the Pied de Bœuf site and reach the village of Olmet. We pass the Chamaly cross and descend gently towards the Dore valley to reach Olliergues town hall via a stepped street (Rue des Cors).

Circular route passing through the Bois de la Frissonnette, then through meadows with unobstructed views, passing through the pretty hamlet of La Prulhière and running alongside the Miodet at the end of the route.

Circular starting from the village of Bertignat. Along the way, you will see the Virgin of Puybayou and then a beautiful view of the commune of La Chapelle-Agnon.

A short walk through woods and green pastures with beautiful views of the Château de Mauzun and the Monts du Forez.

Walk in the Livradois plains, around "Trézioux - Neuville". During this walk, you can enjoy views of Mauzun Castle, the Monts du Forez and, finally, the Chaîne des Puys.

A pleasant walk in summer thanks to the cool, refreshing air. The stream is well-known to anglers, and the lucky few may even find some chanterelle mushrooms to pick. This is the realm of wild boar and roe deer…You’ll pass through old villages such as La Terrasse (with a very old house on the right), which was very important in the early 20th century. A victim of rural depopulation, Montolas is now nothing but ruins!

If you’re on holiday in Marat, here’s a short route for a walk or a horse ride starting from La Ramie.

Mauzun Castle, nicknamed the "giant of Auvergne", is the starting point for this walk at the foot of the Livradois-Forez mountains, which offers magnificent views of the mid-range mountains. Follow the yellow trail from the village exit.

Nature walk between meadows, forest, streams and ancient mills, a site rich in history. Pass through amazing places that are linked to druidic rituals and gatherings.

This fourth stage of the route is the longest and most challenging. We will often be walking at high altitudes (highest point: 1,153 m). We will follow the River Couzon before descending along good paths through the woodland towards Vollore-Montagne. The walk through the Ayguebonne Forest, near the Grun de Chignore, will take us to Sainte-Agathe.

A pleasant, mostly shaded walk leading to a magnificent panorama from the summit (granite chaos at an altitude of 1,260 metres).

A discovery walk through the birthplace of Emmanuel Chabrier, which still has a few half-timbered houses in its historic centre and some beautiful residences along its avenues. Green spaces are not forgotten, with a visit to the Jardin Chabrier, a short walk along the Ruisseau de Valeyre, and an encounter with the Dore.