Ecopôle Val d'Allier, Pérignat-ès-Allier

Spring/summer activities

The arrival of spring in the city is already invigorating: leaves and buds appearing on trees, lawns greening up, flowers blooming on balconies and in parks… But then, spring in the Livradois-Forez countryside… it’s just wow!

The weather’s already fine, but not yet too hot, and the days have lengthened considerably. Energy is returning, and with it the desire to be outside. In fact, outside is magnificent. Here in the Auvergne, the daffodils are blooming, the trees are budding, the wildlife is showing its face … a magnificent backdrop for long, rejuvenating hikes.

And then there’s the prospect of the weeks to come: April and its breath of renewal, May and its weeks with holes, June and that incredible feeling that a cycle is coming to an end, even if you don’t have children in school… And then summer! Swimming, siestas, barbecues… There’s no doubt about it, the prospect is truly enticing.

Nature calling? Well, the Livradois-Forez region of Auvergne is ready and waiting to welcome you, whether for a weekend of disconnection-reconnexion or a tribal sporting adventure. In fact, you’re free to combine the two!

Summer freshness, A rejuvenating break

Once the springtime outdoor frenzy is over, summer has arrived, and with it, its trail of high temperatures. Although, in the Auvergne, you’ll sometimes be high enough to enjoy the cool of the night. But during the hottest part of the day, the Livradois-Forez region offers a host of refreshing experiences.

The forests

The lush forests of the Livradois-Forez region offer not only a soothing atmosphere, but also a bulwark against the sweltering summer heat. As you enter the forest of La Comté, you’ll find the shade of century-old trees a welcome respite from the sun’s rays. Light filters through the leaves, creating a soothing play of reflections. The air is pure and invigorating. These majestic trees may even invite you to try sylvotherapy, a treatment based on contact with trees!

Val d'Allier Ecopole

A former quarry turned sensitive natural site, the Ecopôle is a fine example of successful conversion. The extensive work carried out to re-naturalize the site, restore biodiversity and preserve resources has made it a very pleasant, unspoilt area. Although swimming is not permitted, the area is a little paradise. Its winding paths through meadows, marshes and forests give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the freshness of nature while discovering the local flora and fauna.

Cool waters

Three bathing sites have been awarded the ” Pavillon Bleu ” label, which rewards sustainable tourism practices that respect water quality, biodiversity and the site’s environment. They are Iloa in Thiers, Aubusson and Les Prades in Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle. The three bathing sites offer a whole range of activities: paddle or petanque, a checkers or volleyball, canoeing or pedal-boating. There are so many possibilities that, whether you’re a family or a group of friends, you’re bound to find something to suit your mood.

Les Rivières

If you prefer to listen to the gentle murmur of running water, walk in riverbeds and have your soles massaged by mossy pebbles, the Livradois-Forez has something for you. Creeks, rivers and lakes form a dense network of water. It rushes down the winding slopes of the valleys, swelling the Dore River, the Allier’s main tributary. It flows for 138 kilometers, almost all of it within the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park, before joining the Allier and then the Loire. The Dore, Dorette, Durolle and other rivers and streams flow through the region, offering perfect spots for an invigorating swim or a simple waterside break. These places are not only welcoming havens for walkers who enjoy the gentle lapping of the water; they also offer the necessary habitats for remarkable species: pearl mussels, otters, salmon, diving turtles, shore swallows… a whole hidden world that reveals itself to the most attentive.

Les Cascades

The Livradois-Forez region is home to a host of waterfalls, some of which are easily accessible, others of which are tucked away for a hike. Among them, the Creux de l’Oulette waterfall, nestled in a green setting. Experience a relaxing shoulder-neck whirlpool bath in a totally natural setting. A 13-kilometer hike takes you there. Most of it takes place in the forest, offering a natural refuge from the summer heat. For those in a hurry, there’s a parking lot nearby! Nearby, you’ll find the fascinating basalt organs of the Volcan de Montpeloux, and its peaceful lake, anchored in a former quarry. Towards St Germain Lherm, the Gomot waterfall is less high, but no less charming. To reach it, follow the bed of the Faredonde, the stream that feeds it. This path takes you through a forest covered in moss and lichen, creating an almost magical atmosphere.

Reconnecting with nature in Livradois-Forez

Then there are the hikes: there’s nothing better for feeling fully alive and very connected to nature than walking in front of sumptuous landscapes as far as the eye can see, the silence only disturbed by birdsong or the rustle of leaves.

What a wonderful experience to take the time, during your stay, to reconnect with the products you choose to put on your plate, to learn how they grow or are raised and to meet those who care for them. The Livradois-Forez region is dotted with some 2,000 farms that produce the many local, natural products. Meats, cheeses, charcuterie, poultry, cereals, pulses, fruit and vegetables, vegetables and fruits are just some of the products on offer.

From its 25 m-high belvedere, discover the Garden for the Earth, which forms a giant planisphere. The plant areas represent each continent, while the lawns represent the seas and oceans. This giant planet combines botany and environmental education, and features over 700 species and 2,000 varieties of plants. It’s an extraordinary visit in which you’ll be invited to use your senses: touch, smell and taste the edible plants, while the guide tells you the secrets of the plants you encounter, the beneficial associations and the little secret stories of the plants.

Castles of Livradois-Forez : The freshness of old stones

For a more warlike atmosphere, why not take on the castles? Auvergne is a land of castles and dwellings. The Route historique des châteaux d’Auvergne highlights nine of the 35monuments in the Livradois-Forez region. The castles of Aulteribe, Ravel and La Barge in Courpière, Les Martinanches in Saint-Dier-d’Auvergne, Montmorin and Mons in Arlanc, Vollore and Busséol in Vic-le-Comte, and the abbey dwelling of Moutier in Thiers.

Les Concerts de Vollore

Les Concerts de Vollore, every year in July. Renowned for the quality of its programming, it has established itself, over the years, as a major event for lovers of music without frontiers. Of genre, class and country. Les Concerts de Vollore has also developed a series of events throughout the year, such as “L’autre saison”.

Where can I find a farm to visit?

Some producers attend local markets to sell direct and meet their consumers. Others welcome visitors to their farms for scheduled visits, tastings and direct sales. At Ferme des Roziers in Lezoux, for example, you can sample delicious cheeses made from organic milk. In Doranges, two red fruit producers offer a range of sweet and fruity treats at ferme du Garnasson.

Others have made hospitality a business in its own right: as educational farms or equestrian farms, they help visitors discover and understand farm animals. At the Pré fleuri farm, you can spend a convivial moment in the company of horses. You can also take a carriage ride along the surrounding paths. For an hour or two, in the company of the donkey Capucine, Delphine introduces you to the horses of Montcodiol.

You can round off this day of Livradois-Forez immersion with a restful night in a peaceful gîte.

Local products

Healthy eating and cookingin complicity

A stay in the Livradois-Forez region can be a real immersion: you’ll never cook like you did before! Local ingredients, carefully selected from the markets, tell the story of their producer, and carry with them the smells and landscapes that saw them grow. In the freshness of a kitchen, surrounded by friends and family, the act of cooking becomes a joyful, convivial experience.

Get moving, let off steam

If you’re feeling like you’ve been dragging your feet all winter, and you’re craving adrenalin, outings with friends, noisy banquets and lots of booze… For you, it’ll be sporting or creative activities, long walks and big games. We imagine you as a tribe, family or friends, overexcited to be together, building a program of activities that includes everyone in a frenzied rhythm.

The adrenalin’s pumping, depending on the temperature and, more broadly, the weather, you’ll have the choice. For the more adventurous, it’s an opportunity to try out parachuting or, more leisurely, hot-air ballooning.

If you’re feeling energetic, why not take up mountain biking? Did you know that Livradois Forez offers 2,780 km of uninterrupted trails, making it France’s largest mountain biking area, with 125 marked trails? The routes are available on the dedicated hiking website and app.