Activities
Whether you are looking for an action packed
holiday or a more sedate experience the region can offer you a full range of exciting
and fulfilling activities to make your stay with us memorable.
Mountain Biking (VTT)
There are many exciting and challenging mountain
biking routes for you to explore in the region. These can be tackled on your own
or with friends, or should you prefer you can join one of the professional
companies offering guided experiences in the area. Some of the routes can be
seen on the link below
Mountain Bike Routes
Horse Riding
There are a number of equestrian centres offering
various types of riding experience. The nearest centres are at Saint Eloy Le
Glacier (10Km) and Usson (20Km), although there are various other centres in the Livradois and
Volcano National Park.
Activity Centres
 If you want to try mountain climbing, canoeing,
quad biking or even field archery then you should follow the link below for
Crapa' Hutte. Try a trip down the Allier in a canoe, a wonderful way to
see the region from the peaceful and tranquil river, where wildlife abounds and
nature can be seen in all its glory. Alternatively perhaps you would like to
play in the treetops like one of the many red squirrels in the region. If so
then try the Forest Adventure Park, it really is great fun. Or for the real dare
devils try parascending from the dormant volcano of Puy De Dome or hot air
ballooning over the Volcano National Park
Crapa' Hutte
Forest adventure park
Hot Air Ballooning
Water Parks
A visit to one of the many plan d'eau or water
parks is a real mountain experience. There is nothing like swimming in one of
the clear cool mountain lakes on a hot summers day. Some of the larger lakes
also offer the chance to take to the water in a sailboat or pedalo. Most of the
parks offer restaurant or snack bar services, as well as other sporting
activities, such as tennis, volleyball or children's play areas. The parks
also offer anglers the chance to indulge in their passion, although should you
want a more serious angling adventure then you should try the Allier for its
Salmon and Trout or one of the deep mountain lakes for the artic char, large
carp or fearsome pike. Angling licences are available from the Office of Tourism and
various other local outlets.
 Peaceful Auvergne
Perhaps you would like to indulge in some of the
quieter and less stressful activities, such as a visit to one of the local
markets (Billom - Mondays, Ambert - Thursdays) where you can sample local
life and also some of the local cuisine. Maybe you would like to visit one or
more of the various chateaux in the area. Some of them are fully restored while
others remain a shadow of their former glory. There are also numerous museums
covering all aspects of life in the Auvergne, from the rural farmers and berger's,
through to Romanesque architecture and artisans such as the paper makers,
leather workers and coutelliers. A handful of suggested visits:
Richard De Bas Paper Mill
Knife Makers of
Thiers
Chateaux of
The Auvergne
Winter Auvergne
 Why not plan a trip during the winter when the
Auvergne becomes a paradise for skiing (cross country and downhill) as well as
offering some more unusual spectacles such as waterfall climbing, car racing on
ice and even ice fishing for artic char. The region boasts two international
standard ski resorts at Super Besse and Super Lioran, as well as the less well
known Mont Dore. Cross country skiing is available in Echandelys itself and
throughout the Livradois Forez National Park
Super Besse
Super Lioran
Dining Out
There are many restaurants in the area offering a
diverse range of exquisite cuisine. The area has many rural auberges with prices
starting at around €10,00 per head through to more up market restaurants in the
local towns where prices range from €20,00 to €45,00 plus per head. There are
two Michelin listed restaurants within ten minutes of the Gite -
Restaurant de la
Marie in Sauxillanges is a must for any food fan - yet prices won't hurt.
See our new Restaurants page for more details.
Local
delicacies include truffade (tomme cheese, potatoes, garlic, crème fraîche
and bacon), cuissot de sanglier (roast boar), veau aux girolles de pays (veal
with girolles mushrooms) plus tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry tart) and of
course not forgetting the five gold medal winning cheeses...
Fêtes and Festivals
 Check
with us to get the latest information about when the regions
fêtes and festivals are being held. We strongly recommend the Fete du Roi de L'Oiseau
festival in September, when the whole town of Puy en Velay re-enacts its
renaissance past for five days with costumes, parades, markets, shows and
activities for all the family - a real spectacle.
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