Ambert town hall round 1The medieval town of Ambert made a cornerstone contribution to the history of papermaking in France. From as early as the Middle Ages, Ambert fashioned itself into a major papermaking centre that would shape the era’s defining paper production methods.
A stroll around the narrow alleyways and streets and ancient buildings of the medieval quarter will take you back to a time when papermaking flourished and paper mills lined the banks of the Durolle river, harnessing its energy to transform the rags into precious sheets of paper.
Centuries of papermaking have left an indelible mark on the town, shaping its identity and its economy. Today, Ambert celebrates this heritage in its many dedicated museums and interpretive venues, such as Moulin Richard de Bas and Moulin de Nouara.
Ambert Eglise Saint-Jean 2
Moulin Richard de Bas - General viewAmbert town hall round 1
Manufacture d'Images 4 Ambert
Manufacture d'Images 6 Ambert
Moulin Richard de Bas Ambert 4
Moulin Richard de Bas Ambert 17
Moulin Richard de Bas Ambert 18Why not try a treetop rope adventure course then whiz down the giant zip line from high up in Prabouré?
This winter-season ski resort reconverts into a mountain nature resort for the summer season, catering to kids (from age 3) and adults alike with a fresh new range of outdoor activities, like rando-ferrata, barefoot walk-and-learn trail, mountain karting, downhill pedal-bikes, and orienteering.
To learn while you walk off dinner, tour the Garden for the Earth at Arlanc, Europe’s only giant 6-hectare planisphere where you can look out across a growing collection of 2,000 20,000 varieties of plants, all relocated to their native continents.
887a6684
887a6747
Cover photo Parc Dactivites De Praboure @prod03
Prabouré ALF 2From Ambert, you can climb to the breathtaking Hautes-Chaumes, uplands, classified as a Natura 2000 conservation area for its important ecological and habitat value for wild flora and fauna. Imagine walking across the vast Hautes-Chaumes uplands of the Forez, expanses where the winds blows as free as in the remote Mongolian steppe. Take that high road to Valcivières and follow the Colporteur des Jasseries trail, a picturesque and culturally-historic under-sky route across the scenic Hautes-Chaumes highland moors.
Continue your adventure into the Vallée de l’Ance, and get close enough to touch nature in the stunning landscapes. Here, the pure river has such outstanding ecological value that it draws not only keen fishermen but also endangered wildlife such as white-clawed crayfish and freshwater pearl mussels. To round off, Montpeloux volcano is unlike any other site anywhere. Rally the bottom of its crater to visit a rare geological formation of basalt columns. You will surely start to understand that happiness is holidaying deep in the Livradois-Forez.
Take the time to experience a madcap handcar outing at Ambert. Hop aboard the panoramic-windowed railcar that sets out from Ambert and peacefully winds its way along the Dore river. The bridges and viaducts are feats of civil engineering that blend harmoniously into the green and sometimes rugged scenery, testimony to how the railway line had to adapt to the region’s challenging topography.
Dji 0364
Pnr Livradois Forez Jda4842 Photo J.damase
Livradois.v 887a2281
World Festival Ambert 2021 Maxime G 4Ambert’s World Festival made a name for itself in the French festival scene by winning the award for Best Medium-Sized Festival, i.e. for festivals that have a daily capacity of between 5,000 and 15,000 visitors. Ambert World Festival won the award on the back of its eclectic line-up and top-quality headliners, its entirely volunteer-run organisation, its commitment to sustainability and its consciously rural-community venue.
The festival broke attendance records in 2023, and its family-friendly feel continues to appeal to broad audiences.
What you need to know
2024 marks the 36th edition, and the organisers have lined up a number of new features. On the catering front, there will be a new food offering brought by the ‘Toques d’Auvergne’ guild and Michelin-starred chefs, blending local flavours with influences informed by the music programme.
The festival will also be putting on shuttle services from Clermont-Ferrand and Saint-Étienne, as well as on-demand transport to and from neighbouring villages.
Logical, then, that tickets are going fast—so don’t lose your spot, and book now!
