Livradois-Forez, a sustainable destination

Come and take a deep breath of fresh air, in the heart of nature!

The Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park covers three départements: Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire and Loire. Explore its 311,035 hectares of forests, plains, rivers and many other landscapes. Here in the Auvergne, environmentally-friendly tourism is possible. The Livradois-Forez region, with its rich natural and *cultural heritage, has built its identity on its distinctive features, while striving to preserve them. As a result, the major environmental challenges of this century are also its own.

The region boasts a wide variety of natural environments. Its geography is such that nature is close at hand. A land of contrasts, Livradois-Forez is home to remarkable flora and fauna. To preserve this natural space, the Park carries out studies, relies on a network of naturalist contributors and on the surveys carried out by its agents. Learn more about biodiversity to better protect it.

A responsible label: Regional Nature Park values

The“Valeurs Parc naturel régional” brand is an initiative of the Fédération des Parcs naturels régionaux de France.

It enables companies located in a Regional Nature Park to engage in collective and supportiveinitiatives, thereby contributing to sustainable development. By adopting this mark, companies commit to preserving the environment, improving the well-being of local residents and supporting the local economy. The Parks, in turn, work with these companies to enhance the unique natural and cultural resources of each territory. The brand is awarded on the basis of a rigorous contractual commitment to sustainable development.

Livradois Forez Regional Nature Park commits to diversity with the Green and Blue Contract

The“Green and Blue Contract” of the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park is a committed project aimed at protecting and enriching the diversity of the ecosystems it shelters.

Focusing on the Dore watershed, the project runs for six years (2020-2025) and concentrates on key actions such as improving aquatic and wetland environments, enhancing biodiversity in forests and agricultural areas, and integrating green and blue webs into urban planning.

Through 64 detailed actions, the contract aims to restore waterways, diversify forests, encourage biodiversity-friendly farming practices and raise public awareness of the importance of ecological continuity. This project represents a strong commitment by the Park to the protection and enhancement of its natural heritage.

Are you familiar with green, blue and black grids?

Imagine our environment as a large jigsaw puzzle, each piece a natural habitat. The green, blue and blackwebs are like paths that connect these pieces. The green grid connects terrestrial spaces such as forests and meadows, enabling animals and plants to move and flourish. The blue grid does the same, but for aquatic environments such as rivers and lakes, ensuring the circulation of water and aquatic species.

Finally, the black grid tackles a less visible problem: light pollution. By preserving areas of darkness, it helps protect the nightlife of animals and the starry sky. Together, they help maintain a healthy, diverse environment for all living things.

Focus on Natura 2000 sites:

The link between Natura 2000 and the green, blue and black corridors lies in their shared objective of preserving biodiversity and ecosystems. Natura 2000 is a network of natural sites across Europe, designed to protect rare or threatened species and habitats. Together, Natura 2000 and ecological networks form an integrated network that promotes habitat continuity and ecological connectivity across the landscape.

The Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park is home to six sites included in the Natura 2000 network:

The Pause mining cavity

It is located in the Couzon valley, in the commune of Aubusson d’Auvergne. It is a hibernation site for the Little Rhinolophus.

The Auzelles mining cavity

It is located in the valley of the Miodet, a tributary of the Dore. It is home to colonies of bats in transit between hibernation and breeding sites.

La Dore and its tributaries

As the main right-bank tributary of the Allier River, La Dore plays a key role in the regional ecosystem. It is an important migration route for Atlantic salmon. Its tributaries are natural habitats for white-clawed crayfish, a species of ecological interest.

The Varennes plain

This site is home to continental dunes, forests and wet meadows, ponds, pools and hay meadows. It is also home to many important plant and animal species, whose survival is closely linked to the preservation of hedgerows and low-intensity farming practices.

The Senouire Valley mining complex

It covers 2,181 hectares spread over eight communes, and is essential as a hibernation and breedingarea for bat species such as the Petit Rhinolophe and the Grand Rhinolophe. The protection of this site is crucial, not only to conserve essential bat habitats, but also to preserve the quality of their hunting grounds.

The Forez mountains

This site consists mainly of the Hautes-Chaumes du Forez, a vast area of moorland and grassland at high altitude. The site is home to peat bogs, rich wetlands and rocky screes, providing a habitat for many rare species, both animal (butterflies and bats) and plant. Traditional land management is essential to maintaining this ecological diversity.

The pearl mussel rivers of Ance du Nord and Arzon

With around 6,500 individuals, the pearl mussel population in the Ance du Nord is one of the most significant in Auvergne, and even in France, where there are an estimated 100,000 individuals in total. The presence of juveniles in this functional population requires particular attention for its conservation.

The Haut-Livradois peat bog Virennes complex

A peat bog is a type of wetland characterized by water-saturated soils, where layers of peat accumulate, an organic material made up mainly of sphagnum mosses (mosses) and other decomposing vegetation. The Tourbière de Virennes, in the Haut-Livradois region, is an example of an acid sphagnum bog, situated at an altitude of 1090 to 1180 meters.

Sustainable travel in Livradois-Forez

If you’d like to spend a night bivouacking in the heart of nature, it’s possible to combine “respect for nature” with a “responsible holiday” in Livradois-Forez. Here are a few tips from the Maison du tourisme, to help you bivouac with peace of mind:

Bivouacking prohibited:

On a public road.
Within 500 m of a historic monument.
Less than 200 m from a drinking water supply.
In national nature reserves, state biological reserves and areas defined by decree.
Camping is forbidden in the Haut Forez classified site, but bivouacs are authorized.
It is forbidden to light fires within 200 m of the edge of a wood or forest.

Where to bivouac?

Bivouacs are tolerated as part of an itinerant trek.
Installation authorized at sunset and must be folded by sunrise.
Private or public landowner’s agreement required.
Specific restrictions
Leave the site clean: take away all waste and personal hygiene products.
Restore site to its original state after bivouac.
Be discreet so as not to disturb wildlife, especially during breeding and nesting periods.

Find accommodation and travel eco-responsible

If you’re not in the mood to “bivouac” in the great outdoors, don’t worry! You can stay with service providers committed to the “Valeurs Parc Naturel Régional” approach. This approach respects nature, the environment and our heritage.

You’ll find a list of these service providers below. Come and meet them – the journey begins here, and it’s up to you to make the most of it.

Eco-responsible accommodation

Gentle travel