A gem in the Truyère Valley, nestling at the heart of lovely Margeride, the welcoming medieval town of Le Malzieu-Ville has retained some fine reminders of its past as an old Gévaudan stronghold. Take a stroll along the historic trail, and admire its ramparts, towers, fortified gates and old houses. You'll also find a superb panoramic view of the roofs of the town and the verdant landscapes of Margeride at the top of the Bodon Tower!

Shortly before the Eiffel Tower was built, the visionary Gustave Eiffel worked with engineer Léon Boyer between 1880 and 1884 to create an elegant and daring metal structure over the Truyère gorges, in Cantal. Considered at the time to be not just one of the world's most beautiful structures but also a technical and architectural feat, the Garabit Viaduct, between Loubaresse and Ruynes-en-Margeride, is still admired today!

Now a listed Historic Monument belonging to the network of Remarkable Bridges of the South of France, this impressive 565-metre-long railway viaduct can be seen from afar, in particular due to its red colour and superb lighting at nightfall.

Boat rides on the Grandval Dam lake, at the heart of the Truyère gorges, depart from the Garabit site.

A land of granite with rolling landscapes, on the border of Cantal, Haute-Loire and Lozère in the former province of Gévaudan, Margeride is a secluded and mysterious place. It offers lovers of authentic nature a series of restful landscapes, alternating between meadows, moors, forests and rivers.

As well as being a great place to recharge your batteries, Margeride is also an ideal destination to enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking, horse-riding and mountain biking along its many paths and trails, fishing on the Truyère and Rimeize, sailing and canoe-kayak on Lake Naussac, no-kill pike fishing on Lake Charpal and more…

At the heart of Margeride, at Sainte-Eulalie in Lozère, the European bison reserve invites you to take a carriage ride, or a sled ride in the winter, and see its prehistoric-looking animals, in semi-captivity in a park of over 200 hectares. A museum area about the European bison's origins and way of life, as well as a reconstruction of a prehistoric cave, complete the experience.

When it comes to visitor attractions, don't miss the Margeride Ecomuseum in Cantal, with the Clémence Fontille School in Signalauze, Pierre Allègre's farm in Loubaresse and St. Martin's Garden in Ruynes-en-Margeride. There is also the fantastic Beast of Gévaudan Museum in Saugues, Haute-Loire, which has gripping reconstructions that tell the incredible story of the terrifying beast that roamed Gévaudan in the 18th century. This mysterious tale is still a frequent topic of conversation today!

Set in a magnificent woodland environment at the heart of wild, green gorges, the Grandval artificial lake is one of the three dam lakes created on the Truyère, in Cantal.

The longest dam lake in Auvergne, it's a sought-after tourist destination due to its many advantages: impressive sites like the famous Garabit Viaduct, created by Gustave Eiffel in the 19th century, and the Grandval Dam, built between 1955 and 1960; reminders of Auvergne's medieval past, with the romantic site of Alleuze Castle, an old 14th-century fortress perched on a rocky spur majestically overhanging part of the lake; power boating activities at the Garabit centre, where you can hire boats and jet skis; sailing, canoe-kayak and swimming at Mallet water sports centre…

To discover the Truyère gorges from a different angle, there are boat trips on Lake Grandval from May to October, departing from the Garabit site.

Don't miss the Mallet belvedere, in the municipality of Fridefont, for its outstanding views of the dam. These views can also be enjoyed from the restaurant terrace near the belvedere.

A certified Land of Art and History, Saint-Flour is located at the intersection of the Truyère gorges, the Mounts of Cantal and Margeride. Perched on its rocky overhang, this thousand-year-old town was built at the tip of Europe's biggest stratovolcano. It contains many historic treasures, some of which are linked to its past as Haute-Auvergne's religious capital.

When you arrive in Saint-Flour, take the time to admire the superb view of the upper town, with its natural ramparts of volcanic origin and its medieval fortifications. A tour of the historic centre will take you from picturesque side streets to fortified gates, to discover the 14th and 15th-century Cathedral of St. Peter, a Gothic building made of black lava stone. It is famous for its large statue of Christ made of walnut tree wood, the "Beautiful Black God", probably made in the 12th century.

Near the cathedral, in the old ramparts, the Roches terrace and its orientation table will offer you lovely panoramic views of the lower town and the Margeride mountains!

Don't miss a chance to stop by the old 17th-century episcopal palace adjoining the cathedral, which is now the Museum of Haute-Auvergne, to discover the region's folk art. It has one of France's finest collections of home furnishings, works of religious art and archaeological collections.

Boasting a remarkable Renaissance façade, the consular house has been home to the Alfred Douët Museum of Art and History since the early 20th century. It offers some eclectic fine art and decorative art collections, acquired by the collector Alfred Douët.

The vast parade ground lined by arcades and façades from a bygone age, the Governor's House on 31 rue Marchande, or the Halle aux Bleds, an old collegiate church from the 14th century, where art exhibitions take place in summer, as well as the market on Saturday mornings in the winter season, are some of the places where the town's historical heritage is clear to see.

The capital of Margeride and the gateway to Gévaudan, the small town of Saugues is located on the Via Podiensis: this is the third section of the oldest of the paths leading to Santiago de Compostela. Over 20,000 pilgrims and people simply enjoying a hike stop there every year.

Once a medieval stronghold, Saugues is dominated by the English Tower (Tour des Anglais), the keep of the castle that was destroyed in a fire at the end of the 18th century. Climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a beautiful view of the town's rooftops and Margeride!

Dating from the Romanesque period, the Collegiate Church of St. Medard, extended and remodelled between the 13th and 19th centuries, contains a 12th-century Virgin in Majesty and a 15th and 16th-century polychrome wooden Pietà, as well as the shrine of St. Benilde.

At the Fantastic Museum of the Beast of Gévaudan, you can learn the details of the disturbing event which caused a stir between 1764 and 1767: in the land once known as Gévaudan, nearly a hundred people were killed and devoured by a mysterious beast. It was a farmer from the region who finally managed to defeat it.

As far back as Antiquity, Chaudes-Aigues was renowned for its warm water and associated health benefits. Now the jewel in the Auvergne spa sector's crown, the resort has the warmest water in Europe and specialises in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and side effects of operations or trauma. Chaudes-Aigues thus has around thirty springs, the most famous of which is the Par spring, with a water temperature of 82°C!

Renowned for their pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing properties, the spa treatments are provided at the Caleden complex, which is located on the site of the old thermal baths. A haven of peace and an ideal place to recharge your batteries, the establishment also contains a recreational spa area devoted to relaxation, with indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam, sauna and Jacuzzi, as well as a spa offering beauty treatments and wellness massages.

After you've had a chance to relax, it's time to explore the town and its heritage. You can take a look at the eight small, suspended oratory niches (each one is devoted to a patron saint), the 15th-century Gothic Church of St. Martin, the Penitents' Chapel, an exhibition venue in season, with its Spanish Baroque altarpiece, not forgetting the charming cobbled streets, flagstone roofs, hot water washhouse and public fountains.

In Chaudes-Aigues you can visit Géothermia, the European museum of geothermal science and spa culture. Located a short walk from the Par spring, this attraction features scale models and interactive terminals, for a total immersion in the world of hot springs, the history of spa use and its benefits, and geothermal power. An amazing science lesson about a natural element that comes from the Earth and was the basis for the world's first urban heating system, in this area as far back as the 14th century!

Known as the little Versailles of Gévaudan, La Baume Castle stands at the heart of the Massif Central, at an altitude of around 1200 metres, in a wild, unspoilt setting in the commune of Prinsuéjols. A listed Historic Monument, this superb granite edifice consisting of two parts – one from the 17th century and the other from the 18th century – contains a richly decorated, Italian-inspired interior in the Louis XIV style. Furniture, wood panelling, paintings and tapestries are some of the attractions you can admire on a guided tour. You can also learn about the history of one of the most important baronies of Gévaudan!

Set in an enchanting site at the heart of the picturesque Truyère gorges in Cantal, Alleuze Castle has kept some majestic remains of its past as a medieval fortress, perched on a rocky peak and now proudly towering over part of the Grandval Dam lake. Previously owned by the Bishops of Clermont, Alleuze Castle was a base for brigands who spread terror all over the region during the Hundred Years War.

A listed Historic Monument, the 14th-century castle fort, flanked by four round towers, is accessible in a few minutes' walk from the Chapel of St. Illidius. Located downhill from the village of La Barge, which you can reach by walking along a Way of the Cross, this little Romanesque church offers magnificent views of the feudal castle surrounded by greenery.

In summer, there are night-time guided tours, and every two years, the chapel site hosts a sound and light show with fireworks.

At the heart of the old province of Gévaudan, near Marvejols in Sainte-Lucie, in the commune of Saint-Léger-de-Peyre, Gévaudan Wolf Park has over 130 wolves living in semi-freedom in a wooded area of several hectares. They come from Mongolia, Poland, Canada and Siberia.

Guided tours of the park with a specialist, walks along the trail dotted with observation areas, and the museum's exhibition rooms all provide a chance to learn about the wolf, which is now a protected species, and help rehabilitate the image of this misunderstood animal, the villain in so many fairy-tales and legends.

In the Allier Gorges, a canyon hollowed out by the river of the same name, lovers of natural sites will be thrilled by a picturesque, green environment. The landscapes there are truly diverse, interspersed with beautiful villages and Romanesque buildings, like St. Mary of Les Chazes (Sainte-Marie-des-Chazes) in Saint-Julien-des-Chazes, a 13th-century chapel in a romantic setting, built at the foot of basalt cliffs and a listed Historic Monument.

The prettiest villages to discover on the banks of the Allier, considered to be one of the last wild rivers in Europe, include Lavoûte-Chilhac, Monistrol-d'Allier, Prades, Saint-Arcons-d'Allier and Chanteuges with its hilltop priory boasting a charming cloister. These villages are separated by beautiful landscapes, especially between Monistrol-d'Allier and Chanteuges. There are many trekking opportunities so lovers of walking and mountain biking will be delighted.

Those who prefer more relaxing pursuits will enjoy swimming at the beaches of Monistrol-d'Allier, Prades and Lavoûte-Chilhac, and fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the clear waters of the Allier where trout, grayling and salmon all live!

For thrill-seeking leisure enthusiasts, whitewater sports reign supreme, from canyoning to canoe-kayak, through rafting, hydrospeed and tubing.

Another original way to discover this superb, unspoilt territory is to take the Allier Gorges tourist train from Langeac in Haute-Loire to Langogne in Lozère. Its spectacular route takes you to areas that are inaccessible to cars and offers stunning views of the rushing river, sometimes from the cliff side. If you are short on time, you can opt for a lovely tour of the Allier Gorges' volcanic villages, which will lead you from Langeac to Monistrol-d'Allier in less than an hour.

For the record, the Allier Gorges are also the land of the Beast of Gévaudan, which caused a stir in the 18th century...

This wonderful museum is located on the Planèze plateau, in Coltines in Cantal, between Saint-Flour and Murat, in a typical 17th-century farmhouse that has been admirably restored.

Its original, fun and interactive museum, featuring displays with audio about everyday life on the farm, is dedicated to rural life in Haute-Auvergne, following the chronology of the seasons. Winter provides an introduction to Cantal's beautiful snowy landscapes and evenings around the cantou or fireplace. Then comes spring, the explosion of colours, the journey up to the summer pastures and cheese-making at the "buron" (traditional hut). Next comes summer, with haymaking and the harvest. Autumn, a time of ploughing and trading fairs, brings the cycle to an end.

A slideshow and original film screenings about peasant life in the region rounds off this fascinating guided tour, before a visit to the farmyard, where hens, goats and rabbits live together!

At an altitude of over 1,000 metres, at the border between the three regions of Midi-Pyrénées, Languedoc-Roussillon and Auvergne, and the three departments of Aveyron, Cantal and Lozère, Aubrac is a land of rest and relaxation. It's a vast granite and basalt plateau full of splendid scenery dotted with high-altitude meadows, moors, rivers and lakes.

The wild open spaces are scattered with typical mountain chalets with tilestone roofs, where shepherds used to take shelter, and pastures surrounded by picturesque dry stone walls where the pretty Aubrac cows graze. Their milk is used to make the famous Tomme cheese, which is used to produce aligot, a local cheese, potato and garlic dish. So many magical places to enjoy on a hike or horse ride...

In the department of Lozère, Lozèrian Aubrac has some beautiful sights in store, such as the village of Nasbinals on the Way of St. James, with its magnificent Romanesque church; the lake route, dotted with wonderful sites such as the Saint-Andéol and Souverols lakes (both of glacial origin), and the Déroc waterfall, 32 metres high!

Don't miss the House of Aubrac in Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac, Aveyron, which presents the heritage treasures of the region in a variety of different spaces. In a haven of peace, you'll also find the Dômerie d'Aubrac, an old hospital and refuge for pilgrims on the Way of St James.

When it's time to eat, a number of farm inns and restaurants offer specialities from the Aubrac Plateau: aligot, truffade (potato pancake), tripe, cooked meats, Aubrac free-range beef, fouace (brioche with orange blossom)...

Every year in late spring, on the last Sunday in May, the Transhumance Festival takes place. This is a colourful, lively event during which herds of cows adorned with flags, bells and flowers head to the high pastures for the summer... At the end, the best herd is given an award by a jury. Aligot, a gastronomic speciality from the high plateaux of Aubrac, is prepared to celebrate this event.

A former royal town in Gévaudan, nestling between Aubrac and Margeride in the Colagne Valley, the town of Marvejols was rebuilt in the 17th century by Henry IV after the Wars of Religion. It's a welcoming small town, and is now listed as a place of interest by the Plus Beaux Détours de France association. Its three beautiful fortified gates from the 17th century, the Soubeyran Gate, Théron Gate and Chanelles Gate, as well as its pedestrian shopping streets, make it a pleasant place to visit.

The remains of a Benedictine priory founded in the 11th century by the Abbot of Moissac Durand de Bredon, the Church of St. Peter in Bredons, located at the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park, in the territory of Albepierre-Bredons, overlooks the Alagnon Valley and the medieval town of Murat in Cantal.

A Clunisian site and listed Historic Monument, this picturesque little fortified Romanesque church is perched on Bredons Rock, a basalt dyke at an altitude of 980 metres. Inside the building, the Baroque high altar, dating from the early 18th century, is the biggest in Haute-Auvergne. Other sights to admire are its 16th-century stalls and its beautiful Baroque furniture, dating from the 16th to the 18th century.

In the surrounding area, take the time to enjoy a walk in Murat national forest or along the paths in the municipality to discover varied landscapes, as well as some lovely heritage features including crosses, oratories and fountains.

A mid-mountain municipality at the foot of the Mounts of Cantal, in the Alagnon glacial valley, Murat is a Station Verte-certified "green resort" in the Massif Central. At the crossroads of Haute-Auvergne, this picturesque medieval town backs onto the basaltic rock of Bonnevie, which towers over the historic centre. In the Middle Ages, Murat was a fortified town and a major road hub, which encouraged trade. Many fairs and markets were held there. Two other volcanic mountains surround it, the Bredons Rock and the Chastel-sur-Murat Rock.

Many old houses, some of which are listed Historic Monuments, provide a reminder of the medieval and Renaissance period. Must-see sights on a walk along the streets of the old town: the consular house, one of Murat's gems with its 15th-century façade; the old bailiwick house from the 16th century on Place de la Boucherie; the Collegiate Church of Our Lady of the Olive Trees (Notre-Dame-des-Oliviers), built between the 12th and the 14th centuries, with its statues and altarpieces from the 17th and 19th centuries; the Hurgon House on Rue du Bon-Secours. The old town with its grey roofs and Bonnevie Rock, with the statue of Our Lady of Haute-Auvergne towering over it, form a beautiful group, where the buildings are mainly made of natural materials from the region, such as wood, flagstone and volcanic stone.

Based in a superb 16th-century mansion, the House of Fauna will delight lovers of butterflies and beetles, with 8,000 species on show. A collection of stuffed birds and mammals, shown in their natural habitat, is also on display.

A charming locality at the heart of the Alagnon Valley, between Limagne and the Mounts of Cantal, Massiac is part of the "Villages Étapes" network of municipalities that offer passing visitors a wide range of shops and services in a pleasant setting.

A harmonious patchwork of vines and orchards surrounds the village, which is known for its local specialities: here you can enjoy escargot products, excellent farm cheeses, and above all the famous Massiac macarons, a delicious hazelnut-based speciality.

A reminder of bygone centuries, the historic centre is well worth a visit. Departing from the tourist office, there is a circuit for exploring the town: the old Espinchal Castle, rebuilt in the 17th century, where the town hall is now based, the Church of St. Andrew with a Flamboyant Neo-Gothic portal from the 19th century, containing old wooden statues, including a Shrine Madonna from the late 14th century and a Maestà from the 15th century.

In the heights of the town, from the site of the Chapel of St. Magdalene in Chalet (Sainte-Madeleine de Chalet), perched on its rocky overhang, you will have superb views of Massiac and the Alagnon Valley!

The Élise Rieuf Municipal Painting Museum, based in the former stables of the castle, pays tribute to three female painters, the leading lights of women's artistic liberation: Marguerite Jeanne Carpentier, a student of Rodin, and her students Charlotte Musson and Élise Rieuf, who was born in Massiac and produced around forty exceptional works of art on the theme of China.

The prefecture of Lozère and former capital of Gévaudan, Mende enjoys an ideal geographical location in the upper Lot Valley, at the edge of the Cévennes National Park. Surrounded by mountains, this charming small town, both peaceful and welcoming, invites you to discover its wonderful sights on a pleasant walk. The paved side streets lined with old houses; small squares decorated with fountains; the picturesque medieval Notre-Dame bridge and the surrounding area, dotted with beautiful houses with roofs like an upturned boat hull; the Penitents' Tower, a relic of the old ramparts; the 18th-century town hall with a tilestone roof, and the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Privatus are all among the treasures you can admire in Mende.

Dominated by the silhouette of its two differently-sized bell towers, the imposing Mende Cathedral was built from the 14th century onwards at the request of Urbanus V, a pope from Gévaudan, whose bronze statue has stood on the forecourt since 1874. Once inside the building, discover the crypt of St. Privatus, the black Virgin dating from the 12th century, brought back from the East by the crusaders, the carved wooden stalls, the Aubusson tapestries from the early 18th century illustrating scenes from the Virgin's life, the 17th-century organs by the Eustache brothers, and more.

In August, the streets of the town are especially lively, during the traditional Great Festival of Mende, a colourful event with a great atmosphere, featuring street performers, concerts, fairground attractions, a procession of floral floats and fireworks.

For tea, enjoy croquant de Mende, a delicious little finger biscuit with almonds and hazelnuts, made by the town's bakers and pastry chefs!

Nestling by the riverside, at the heart of the Allier Gorges, the pretty village of Lavoûte-Chilhac is made up of two clearly distinct neighbourhoods, connected by an old stone bridge with several arches. The first one, built in a bend of the River Allier, includes the ruins of an old castle that was replaced by a Cluniac priory. The priory's buldings, many of which are from the late 18th century, are arranged around the Priory Church of the Holy Cross (Sainte-Croix). The second neighbourhood, nestling on the left bank and backing onto the rocks, is dotted with riverside houses that have high façades to guard against flooding.

Water sports are everywhere in Lavoûte-Chilhac, with a canoe-kayak centre and fishing opportunities in the clear waters of the Allier.

Also worth a look is the Chilhac Palaeontology Museum, with its collection of fossils of mammoths, mastodons, rhinoceroses and other mammals... dating back two million years!

400 metres from the village of Chalet, in the municipality of Massiac in Cantal, stands a pretty 12th-century Romanesque chapel, perched on a basalt overhang.

A listed Historic Monument, the lava stone building is positioned right at the edge of the cliff but is easily accessible. It used to be part of a small feudal castle. As well as its flagstone roof, pinnacle and porch with an awning called a "caqueteuse", the chapel also has some old murals.

A place of contemplation visited by pilgrims on 22 July, the site of the Chapel of St. Magdalene in Chalet will offer you wonderful views of the town of Massiac and the Alagnon Valley!

In the commune of Chanac, in the heights of the valley on a rocky spur overlooking the Lot, stands a beautiful fortified group dating from the medieval period. The church, ramparts, fortified gate and other relics of the episcopal fortress built in the 13th century by the Bishop of Mende, as well as the pretty stone houses you can see as you walk around, make it a truly charming place.

A fortified house located between Brioude and Le Puy-en-Velay, Chavaniac-Lafayette Castle, built in the 14th century and rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century, was the birthplace of the famous general Marquis de La Fayette, who would distinguish himself during the American War of Independence and the French Revolution. Also known as "the Manor of Both Worlds", in the 20th century the building belonged to an American philanthropic organisation, the Lafayette Memorial, before being taken over in 2009 by the Department of Haute-Loire.

On a visit to this historical attraction, which is strongly influenced by the legacy of the Enlightenment philosophers and their stance against slavery and in favour of Human Rights, you can learn about the life of this hero of both worlds, from birth to marriage with Adrienne de Noailles, as well as his American saga in the form of a film screened in a small reconstructed theatre.

The pleasant park, classified as a Remarkable Garden, has an arboretum filled with species from all over the world, a rose garden down from the main courtyard with a remarkable view over the castle, and the Lafayette Oak, planted three centuries ago by the Marquis' grandfather.

The unusual Moon Tree, between the rose garden and the arboretum, is a maple tree grown from a seed that travelled aboard Apollo 14 in 1971.

About twenty kilometres from Le Puy-en-Velay, a beautiful circular lake of volcanic origin, located at an altitude of 1,205 metres, awaits visitors in Haute-Loire. Located in the municipalities of Cayres and Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas, this 44-hectare expanse of water resembling a Canadian lake is a magnificently preserved natural site surrounded by pine, larch, beech and spruce trees.

This is the place to come for peace and quiet, while enjoying a superb landscape from a shaded path dotted with benches that allows you to walk around the lake in 45 minutes.

The water quality makes the lake ideal for fishing and diving, and there is also a beach where swimming is supervised in July and August, so you can relax with family and friends.

Feel free to stop by the lake's restaurant, where you can enjoy the view from the pleasant terrace while sipping a drink or enjoying a meal.

The capital of Aveyronnais Aubrac, the village of Laguiole is famous for its prestigious top-of-the-range knives, made by hand since 1829. The Laguiole knife can be recognised by its small forged bee logo, and the addition of its famous signature is a guarantee of authenticity. There are over forty successive stages in the knife-making process.

To find out more, head to the Laguiole Museum, where you can learn all about the history of the famous knife, see a collection of old Laguioles and learn about the blacksmith's work.

The municipality of Saint-Beauzire, to the west of Brioude, is where you will find the castle fort of Lespinasse, a very fine medieval building that has been remodelled several times over the years.

In this 12th, 14th and 15th-century fortress, which happens to be the oldest preserved castle in the Brivadois area, you can visit the old kitchens, the ceremonial room and its superb fireplace decorated with the coat of arms of Auvergne, and the 15th-century bedroom of Blanche Dauphin d'Auvergne. Still inhabited, the castle has a square keep with machicolations, towers, watchtowers and turrets, characteristic of stately buildings in the Middle Ages.

Classified as a Natura 2000 site due to the presence of rare butterfly species, the castle's verdant park offers scenic views of the Livradois' peaceful landscapes.

Naussac Lake lies in the north-east of Lozère, not far from Langogne, in a pleasant, relaxing setting. This vast reservoir covers 1,050 hectares and is great for outdoor activities. You can practise lots of water sports there, such as windsurfing, catamaran, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and kite-surfing. Around the lake, there are lots of paths where you can enjoy a walk, mountain bike ride or horse ride.

Located on the banks of the Langouyrou, an affluent of the Allier, in the commune of Langogne, the Calquières woollen mill is a listed historic monument and has now been converted into a living museum. It tells the story of the textile business in Lozère, as well as the various stages of wool transformation. Children and adults can see how a traditional craft is practised by admiring a unique set of machines from 1850, still in working order, driven by the mill's big wheel and the force of running water! A museum area about the weaving trades and a craft shop selling woollen clothing will round off your trip to this amazing industrial heritage site.

After a tour of the woollen mill, the historical trail in the old town is a great way to see the main monuments of Langogne, including the 12th-century Romanesque church and the picturesque 18th-century grain hall, where a market takes place every Saturday morning.

Covering 1000 hectares, the Sarrans dam lake on the River Truyère enjoys a verdant natural environment. The wonderfully romantic site of the Laussac Peninsula in Thérondels, which features an 11th-century chapel, is a place of great beauty... A magical spot at the heart of Le Carladez, to be admired during a canoe or pedalo ride.

Many times besieged over the years, but always impregnable, Saint-Vidal Castle still stands today with its imposing military architecture in the village of the same name.

Located in the Borne Valley, 10 km north-west of Le Puy-en-Velay, in Haute-Loire, this former fortified house from the 12th century, transformed into a fortress in the 16th century and nowadays a listed Historic Monument, has been superbly preserved. All the attributes of a defensive building are present: the keep, arrowslits, brattices and loopholes are all assets that helped to protect this beautiful castle in the past!

On a tour of the site, you will also have the opportunity to admire a rib vaulted gallery bordering an inner courtyard, an ogival kitchen adorned with large fireplaces, remarkable vaulted cellars and superb Renaissance decorations.

Listed among the most beautiful villages of France, Lavaudieu in Haute-Loire stands peacefully on the banks of the Senouire, 9 kilometres east of Brioude.

A charming place for a relaxing stroll, this wonderful village is renowned for its Benedictine abbey. Founded in the 11th century by Robert de Turlande, the abbey boasts a remarkable, perfectly preserved Romanesque cloister, unique in Auvergne! Another gem to admire in the abbey is the splendid refectory fresco from the 12th century, inspired by the Byzantine style, depicting Christ in Majesty above the Virgin surrounded by the Apostles. Topped by a Romanesque octagonal bell tower, the abbey church houses superb wall paintings from the Italian School, dating from the 14th century.

Then take the time to stroll along the village's narrow streets and along the Senouire to admire its golden stone houses with rounded tile roofs, the two-storey bell tower at the Abbey of St. Andrew and the old bridge with several arches spanning the river. A most picturesque scene...

To learn about daily life in the old days, head to the Haute-Loire Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions, based in an old baker's house, where you can discover a reconstruction of a traditional Auvergne interior, as well as many objects from everyday life and the trades of bygone times.