Sport and discovery | Vacances en Auvergne – Maison du Tourisme du Livradois Forez

Sports activities short and intense!

Why not take the controls and fly to the heavens? Enjoy a first flight and discovery flights in a microlight in Livradois-Forez. If you’re in the mood for a little more peace and quiet, you can opt for a free flight in a hot-air balloon. The sensation of peace and serenity is total, as if time had stood still. You float above the world, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, carried along by the wind as it decides your course.

For the more adventurous, there’s the great parachute jump. An adrenalin rush guaranteed! Livradois-Forez invites you to push back your limits and experience unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a novice or a fan of aerial sports, there’s a range of experiences to suit all tastes. Don’t wait any longer, the big thrill awaits you!

For tribal holidays, there are other sports options in the Auvergne. From Lezoux to Hêtre en Forez, try your hand at accrobranche (tree-climbing), for total immersion in the canopy. Dare to try a rando-ferrata at the Prabouré ski resort: equipped with a harness, make your way along rock faces and finish your journey in style with a spectacular 800-meter glide on the highest zip line in the Massif Central.

Focus on sports activities

Martibusse adventure

This 2.6-hectare park offers a beautiful escape into the trees with a variety of acrobatic courses with or without zip lines. Its 11 coursesare designed for all ages, and you can enjoy an unlimited day of adventure. Younger children will find four dedicated courses, while thrill-seekers can explore two black courses, a Tarzan rope, a 7-meter slide, and a 100-meter zip line. A sensation zone also features a 20-meter jump and a 10-meter climbing wall. Pets welcome, on leash.

Prabouré's enchanted fillets

Prabouré is a hamlet in Saint-Anthème, in the heart of the Monts du Forez in the Auvergne. Best known for its family-friendly winter sports resort, Prabouré lies between 1,248 and 1,400 meters above sea level. Among its attractions, the Parcours des Filets Enchantés stands out. The first of its kind in the region, this aerial net course is accessible from the age of three. Rising between four and twelve meters from the ground, this fun activity offers a safe exploration of the peaks, combining the thrill of the sea with the adventure of the mountains.

Lezoux Aventure

Discover Lezoux Aventure, an accrobranche park on the banks of theIle de Lezoux pond, easily accessible from the local freeway. Located just a few minutes from Thiers, Clermont-Ferrand and Vichy, this park offers a nature adventure for everyone, from 3 to 83 years old. Come and test your agility on over 80 varied workshops, including 19 zip lines that fly over the pond, with lengths of up to 130 meters. In 2022, Lezoux Aventure introduced Laser fight. No projectiles, no impact, a tactical approach to gaming in the middle of the forest.

Prabouré slacklines

In Prabouré, discover the thrill of slacklining, a balancing sport inspired by tightrope walking. Slacklining uses an elastic strap stretched between trees or other solid supports. Ideal for developing patience and perseverance, this forest course invites young and old to master their balance. With eight slacklines available, everyone can progress at their own pace. Perfect after a zip-line or a rando-ferrata, this course offers a unique and fun way to strengthen coordination and concentration. It’s also suitable for beginners.

Other downhill and sliding sports in Auvergne

If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, head for the white waters of the Allier, Auvergne’s wildest river, for a canoeing adventure. Ideal for thrill-seekers and families alike, this aquatic adventure is accessible from the age of six, provided you know how to swim.

When the call of the slopes is felt, the Livradois-Forez mountains are there, even in summer. Forget the snow and hit the slopes on a mountain kart or downhill scooter. These non-motorized machines promise exhilarating descents, offering everyone, whatever their level, unparalleled sensations of speed and freedom.

Looking for something original? The Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park offers you the chance to get away from it all, whatever the season, with a dog-drawn sleigh ride. Rendezvous for a cani-kart ride at Col de la Loge!

Let yourself be seduced by a sporting activity for an afternoon!

Have you heard of the rail bike?

Maybe yes, maybe no. Either way, you’ve got to try the one inAmbert! This activity combines fun, adventure and respect for the environment. Perfect for families, groups of friends, couples or solo adventurers, the Ambert velorail offers an eco-friendly ride where everyone can pedal at their own pace on old railroad tracks, transforming a simple outing into a real ecological adventure.

The routes proposed by Vélo rail d’Ambert are designed to offer a variety of experiences. With velorails that can accommodate from 2 to 5people, this activity is accessible to all and requires no particular physical condition, as the gradients are very moderate. It’s a unique opportunity to enjoy the countryside in an environmentally-friendly way, while living an unforgettable adventure on the rails.

Read more

Favourite routes

The Discovery Trail, ideal for beginners, takes you on a one-hour round trip through the Dore valley, on around 8.8 km of rails. For those wishing to get a little more involved, the Nature Trail winds along the River Dore, offering breathtaking views of both wild and soothing landscapes. For the more adventurous, the Tunnel Trail offers an enriched 2-hour round-trip experience over some 17 km. This course, through tunnels, promises unique sensations!

The 3 routes by velorail

The route"Discovery

The one-hour round trip ” Parcours Découverte” is ideal for a first experience. Over a distance of around 8.8 km, this route offers a charming glimpse of theVallée de la Dore, allowing participants to learn how to ride a velorail in the heart of unspoilt nature.

The route"Nature

The Nature Trail, which lasts1 h 45 round trip, is a little longer, covering some 14.6 km. It invites you to immerse yourself more deeply in nature, skirting the River Dore and offering changing views, sometimes wild, sometimes soothing. This route is perfect for those seeking to combine moderate physical effort with the contemplation of nature.

The route"Tunnels

The Tunnel Route, which takes 2 hours round trip, is the longest, stretching for around 17 km. This course offers a complete experience, combining the beauty of rural landscapes with the excitement of tunneling. It’s a convivial adventure that will delight participants of all ages, offering exceptional panoramas and moments of pure bliss.

Book my ticket!

And now it's off to the water!

Enjoy a day of fun and relaxation at the Plan d’Eau des Prades in Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle, a green setting with two landscaped beaches and a leisure pool. The beaches are supervised in summer. You can try your hand at a variety of activities, including tennis, electricmountain biking, hiking and fishing. There’s also easy access for the disabled, thanks to a specially-designed wheelchair.

TheIloa leisure park is just 7 km from the town of Thiers. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the water, devour Saint-Nectaire sandwiches on one of the picnic areas, while your children enjoy the many outdoor games.

For a sportier day out, head to Lac d’Aubusson d’Auvergne to try out the canoes, pedalos andgyropods. As a family, couple or group of friends, you can choose between these options or a more relaxed afternoon. Make the most of one of the supervised swimming areas before taking part in a fiery pétanque tournament. Don’t forget to keep well hydrated!

Swimming areas

Hiking in the Livradois-Forez region, a little, a lot, passionately.

Livradois-Forez is a paradise for nature lovers. There are dozens of hiking trails to suit all tastes. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker looking for a challenge or a family looking for a peaceful stroll, you’ll find routes to suit. From the high plateaus and wooded massifs of the Haut-Livradois, offering unique views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy, to the paths bordering rivers and waterfalls in the Vallée de l’Ance, each trail promises an experience of total reconnection with preserved nature and biodiversity. Explore ancient paper mills on the Chemin des Papetiers, or discover the tranquility of the Hautes-Chaumes and its shimmering forests. With routes ranging from easy to demanding, Livradois-Forez is a paradise for nature, sport and adventure lovers.