Discover Haute-Loire With unspoilt nature and wonderful heritage

The small town of Sainte-Sigolène possesses several museums which are well worth a visit. LA FABRIQUE is a living museum where a team of old style haberdashers allows you to discover 400 years of weaving and 50 years of plastic fabrication. LA MAISON de BEATE (the House of Beate) was a place of learning for young country dwellers.

Sited at 820 metres of altitude between Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint Etienne this reservoir, owned by the City of St Etienne, provides a leisure base spread over about 500 acres. Reputed for it's fishing the nautical centre also provides rowing, canoeing ,wind surfing, sailing and pedal boating. Among other possibilities hot air ballooning, mountain bike trails and hiking.

The small town of Monistrol/Loire has a picturesque town centre of which the Bishops Castle is emblematic, flanked by 2 round towers dating from the 15th Century. For children there is an amusing play path, the Balade de Pitrelou, which permits them to discover the town s history in an amusing way. THE OZEN, the aquatic center with one relaxing space proposing a Jacuzzi, two saunas and a hammam.

Touristic train between the Haute-Loire and Ardeche departments which runs between Dunières and St Agrève aboard a picturesque train of yesteryear. The track runs through prairies and forests where you will discover the vast and magnificent landscapes.

Every Thursday morning the regional market takes place where many local producers offer their specialties. The Sucs of Yssingeaux are old extinct volcanos, weathered by the ages which give to the region it's very distinctive topography.

The Rochebaron Eagles, demonstations of birds of prey in free flight and visit to The medieval Rochebaron Castle in the Loire Canyons. Possibility of Canoeing and Kayaking on the Loire, the last untamed river.

Starting in Dunière, this railway bike attraction takes you along a refurbished former train track. Explore Velay’s lush green landscapes as you travel the 8-kilometre-long track

 

Situated on the Loire, Europe s last remaining untamed river which springs from the ground at the foot of the Gerbier de Jonc mountain. From this town, in the Loire Canyons you can visit several Loire Castles. Park Respirando. Situated in an exceptional environment spread over some 25 acres of water and pastures where you can partake of nautical and land-based activities.

The town of FIRMINY is best known for its architectural heritage by Le Corbusier. Among the works of this innovative architect are the Maison de la Culture, the Stadium, the Modern Housing Unit and above all the Church.

This museum has for objective the preservation of the time honored craft of Lace Making. In addition to a collection of laces going back to the 16th Century this national museum, which offers 1000 sq meters of displays, also has demonstrations of hand-made lace making.

Learn about ‘memories and resistance during WW2’ during a visit to the Vivarais-Lignon Plateau and Le Chambon-sur-Lignon village. In addition to this history-laden site, you can also find a golf club at the place known as La Pierre de Lune, at an altitude of 1,000 metres at the foot of Mount Mézenc and Suc de Lizieux. This golf club features a par 72 golf course that is 5,882 metres long, on an undulating, tree-filled landscape.

The Blue Lake which is to be found at Champclause owes it's name to it's striking colour which oscillates between blue and green. At the origin of this striking color are the « lauzes » these volcanic rocks which line it's depths.

Whilst the city does not deny its industrial past it presents today the image of a dynamic, modern city. Among the visits not to miss are the Modern Art Museum, The Art and Industry Museum, The Museum of Mining, and the City of Design.

At St. Germain de Laprade it is possible to visit the Pagés Distillery where the liqueur Verveine de Velay has been produced for 150 years. This visit will permit you to discover all the secrets of this liqueur which has its place in the gastronomic history of the Haute-Loire.

Le Puy-en-Velay is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the European capital of Santiago de Compostela.
This city is full of architectural treasures that will allow you to discover its history, in particular its famous cathedral or its cloister, without forgetting of course the Saint-Michel D'Aiguilhe chapel, perched 88 metres high and overlooking the city.
Le Puy-en-Velay is also a lively and warm city which will welcome you and make you discover numerous festivals such as the Renaissance Festivals of the King of the Bird (14 to 18 September) or the Nuits de Saint Jacques (13, 14 and 15 July).
Discover with your family the myths and legends of the Haute-Loire through fun and fascinating shows in unique places such as the Chapelle Numérique Saint-Alexis.

The highest peak in the Ardèche and Haute-Loire, Mont Mézenc is a must-see during your stay. Its summit, culminating at 1753 metres, will offer you an exceptional view that will make you forget the fatigue of the walk.
This mountain will allow you to discover all the richness that this territory has. An ideal setting with an abundance of flora, numerous birds of prey, but also phonolite, an emblematic rock which reminds us that this very quiet mountain was once an active volcano.

The Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc is a summit located in the Ardèche, in the commune of Saint-Martial. Its particular shape as well as its extraordinary natural wealth make it a site recognised and appreciated by tourists as well as by the local population. In addition, the 3 sources of the Loire, the longest river in France, are located at its foot.
The site has been classified since 1933 and many protected species live there, testifying to the diversity of both flora and fauna.

Lyon, a historic city known for its gastronomy, its museums, its monuments and its famous Festival of Lights, is a city full of cultural riches. Indeed, its architectural heritage is such that several key places in the city, such as the Presqu'île and the Vieux Lyon districts, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
To discover this city, allow about an hour and a quarter's drive from the Vaubarlet campsite.

In Sainte-Sigolène, you can visit the ostrich farm. An original and instructive visit for young and old.

The Himalayan footbridge linking Grazac and St Maurice de Lignon has recently been opened to the public. This unusual building blends in with the scenery and will allow you to spend a pleasant moment with your family while enjoying nature. At 260 metres long, this footbridge is the longest in France to date.
To get there, you can park in the free car park near the start of the circuit. It's about an hour and a half's walk to the bridge and back, so don't forget to take your sports shoes and something to drink.
A walk to be done with family or friends, sensation guaranteed in complete safety!
 

Located at an altitude of 900 metres, the Beaume waterfall promises a pleasant walk and breathtaking holiday photos in a green landscape. Nature lovers and families looking for activities, this is the place for you.

However, don't forget to bring a water bottle and walking shoes, even if it will only take you 40 minutes to walk from the Reynardon car park.
For the most courageous among you, a path starting from Solignac/Loire will take you on a 3-hour hike to the waterfall.
 

Perched at the top of a rocky spur overlooking the Loire, the Rochebaron fortress, with its towers, loopholes, machicolations and ramparts, is characteristic of the defensive buildings of the Middle Ages.
Located in the commune of Bas-en-Basset in the Haute-Loire, this listed fortress, of which three fortified enclosures, a 25-metre-high tower, as well as the remains of a chapel and a main dwelling, is home to two museums and a trail punctuated by explanatory panels that will plunge you into the history of the place and the lords of Rochebaron.
A steep path will take you to the castle in about twenty minutes' walk, a short climb whose effort will be amply rewarded by the magnificent view of the Loire valley and the Meygal massif!
Unusual: from April to the end of October, a falconry in the castle offers impressive falconry shows, during which majestic birds of prey fly around freely.

It is impossible to imagine admiring all the works of the Saint-Etienne Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in one go! You will need several visits to see all the 19,000 works presented to the general public... in this truly international institution in the field of modern and contemporary art, located on rue Fernand Léger, in the commune of Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, near Saint-Étienne. 3000 m² of exhibition rooms are spread out in the heart of the contemporary building, one of whose major objectives is to highlight the productions of art and technology in the industrial era. On the paintings side, works by Monet, Brauner, Magnelli, Léger, Picasso... department completed by sections on ancient art, design and photography. Visitors can be accompanied in their discovery of the collections, through visits, workshops, experiments, "off-the-wall" projects, etc. Note: a programme of temporary exhibitions alternates the presentation of internationally renowned artists and younger artists, with a period devoted to European creation or a thematic exhibition.

Welcoming more than 20,000 visitors each year, the Le Corbusier site is unique in Europe and includes a house of culture, a church, a swimming pool, a stadium and a housing unit. The Maison de la Culture is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, demonstrating the originality of this architectural creation. The swimming pool has been listed as a historical monument since 2005. Visits to the church, the stadium and the Maison de la Culture are free or guided. However, the housing unit requires a guided tour accompanied by a mediator in order to guarantee the tranquillity of the site's inhabitants.