ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO THE AUVERGNE
THE RURAL HEART OF FRANCE (UNAVAILABLE UNTIL 2010 FOR PATH MAINTENANCE)
This self-guided walking holiday is in the Auvergne, a surprisingly remote pastoral region of the Massif-Central, lying between the towns of Vichy, Le Puy and Clermont Ferrand. It can be a wild region but scattered within it are magnificent abbeys and chateaux, and a way of life that seems a little out of kilter with modern life. The route passes by the extraordinary abbey of Chaise-Dieu, with its Papal tomb and bizarre medieval paintings, and the beautiful Allier Gorges.
PRICE
£425 per person. Single supplement: £105
INCLUDED
5 nights half board (breakfast & dinner) in hotels** and ***, country inn and chambre d’hôtes (3 épis/sheaves). Packed lunches, Luggage transportation, Return transportation from Langeac to Allègre, Route instructions.
NOT INCLUDED
Drinks, Local tax (the 'taxe de séjour' a small charge that has to be paid on the spot), Personal expenses. Overnight in Allegre on Day 6.
DEPARTURE DATES Daily May to October according to accommodation availability
To book email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353
Day 1: Arrival in the afternoon in the Hôtel des Voyageurs (Logis de France) in Allègre. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Allègre – La Chaise-Dieu. (18.9 km-4h50). Depart the hotel and walk a route that takes you by the Lake of Malaguet and then the village of Sembadel. Arrive in the small town of La Chaise-Dieu (‘seat of God’), with its marvellous abbey church. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: La Chaise-Dieu – St-Didier-sur-Doulon. (19.1 km-5h). The route takes you through the village of Connangles, the big, beautiful Lamandie Forest, and then near the Château de Maisonneuve with views ofthe Château de Servières. Arrive in the village of St-Didier-sur-Doulon for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: St-Didier-sur-Doulon – Lavaudieu. (21.5 km-5h30). Pass close to the Chapelle de la Trinité (with views over the ruins of the Château de Cusse), then the small towns of Vals-le-Chastel (feudal ruins and frescoes in its chapel) and Domeyrat. Arrive at Lavaudieu (classed among the most beautiful villages of France). Telephone from here your hosts for the night, who will come to collect you. Overnight at La Chomette (Hotel Logis de France).
Day 5: La Chomette – Villeneuve d’Allier. (17 km-4h). Skirt meadows and woods as you descend towards the Gorges of the Allier with a wonderful view over the river and the villages of Jazinds, la Vialette, Chantel, and Ribeyre. Passage to St. Ilpize and the ruins of the castle. Arrive via the suspension bridge to the heart of Villeneuve d’Allier. Telephone the proprietors of your Chambre d’hôtes who will come to collect you and take you to St Cirgues for overnight. (Chambre d’hôtes ‘Gîtes de France 3 épis’).
Day 6: Lavoûte-Chilhac – Langeac . (18.6 km-5h). Short transfer before continuing walking from the picturesque village of Lavoute-Chilhac. Remarkable route into the heart of the Alliers Gorges. Pass the Basalt columns of the area, through Aubazat with its little chapel before arriving finally at Langeac. From Langeac at the end ofthe afternoon a taxi will take you back to Allegre, where a supplementary night with dinner can be arranged for 50 euro per person.
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
11.75 miles to 13.25 miles (19 to 21 km) per day, 4h50 to 5h30 walking per day. Moderately difficult.
GROUP SIZE
2 or more people
Unspoilt countryside, hearty local food, Allier Gorge, Abbey of Chaise-Dieu
If you have done this walk before we would be delighted to hear of your personal highlights.
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ACCOMMODATION
Small hotels or B & Bs with private bathrooms
GETTING THERE
Train to Le Puy-en-Velay and then bus or taxi to Allegre
WHAT TO TAKE:
Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a pullover, good walking boots (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sun glasses, sunblock, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes (for transporting your lunches), first-aid kit , camera and film, torch/flashlight.
WHEN TO GO
May to October
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353