The environment – Ferme Ranciat

The surroundings.

Our gite is located in Auvergne (Auvèrnha or Auvèrnhe in Occitan).

It is a historic province and former region in central France, in the Massif Central. Since 2016, the region has merged with Rhône-Alpes to form Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Its inhabitants are called Auvergnats and Auvergnates. The capital is Clermont-Ferrand.

Auvergne is one of the best preserved areas in Europe, where you can do many outdoor activities such as hiking, horse riding, paragliding, ballooning and (wild) water activities such as canoeing/ rafting on the rivers boating/ pedalos on the lakes or just fishing.

You can also enjoy more than 500 castles and 250 Romanesque churches in Auvergne.

Puy de Dome

Auvergne is located in the Puy de Dôme department.

This area is home to dormant volcanoes (puy’s), the most famous being the Puy de Dôme (1465m). This one is about 10 km from Clermont- Ferrand (and just over an hour’s drive from us).

The road to the summit circles around the mountain and is 5 km long.

You can reach the summit on foot or by train.

Another famous mountain range is that of Mont- Dore, with the highest peak of the central massif, Puy de Sancy (1886m). The summit can be reached on foot or by cable car. (The walk down takes about 1.5 hours).

In 1967, this area was put under nature protection, creating the ‘Parc naturel régional des volcans d’Auvergne’.

In the eastern part of the Puy-de-Dôme department lies the Parc naturel régional Livardois- Forez. A mountainous area covered with coniferous and deciduous forests and criss-crossed by numerous streams.

The climate

The Auvernge has a continental climate.

This gives nice pleasant summers with average temperatures between 21º and 26º. It is often still very pleasant well into October.

Winters can be harsh, but are generally short.

Walks in the surrounding area

How nice, walking out of our gate into nature.
How about a walk to the village of Saint Maurice près Pionsat. There you can visit the brocante ‘La Remise’.

From the gîte you have the possibility of 2 walks. Varièrent from 1½ to 2½ hours.

Within a radius of 5 to 10 kilometres, several walks start with different levels of difficulty and duration. These walks are listed in the walking guides or information folder available to you in your gîte.

Walks that are a bit further away:

Lac des Fades (30 min) and Gour de Tazenat (55 min). For a nice walk with your dog(s) combined with a refreshing dip.

Or how about a walk to La cascade du Gour saillant near Saint Priest des Champs. This walk can be found half an hour’s drive from our house.

If you want it a bit more mountainous, you will have to drive a bit longer.

Just under 1.5 hours’ drive from our house you will find several large lakes:

Lac Pavin is at an altitude of 1197 m. You walk the beautiful circular walk in about an hour.

Lac Chambon is very touristy in the summer season, with a small swimming beach. The walk around the lake covers about 4 km.

Lac Guéry: this lake is at an altitude of 1244m. Chances are that in winter the lake is completely frozen. The walk around the lake is just over 9 km. The walk offers many beautiful views.

Other attractions nearby.

Nice villages to visit include; Néris les Bains, Evaux les Bains, Aubusson and Chambon sur Voueize.

The larger towns are a little further away.

Montluçon; (45km)

Situated on the river Cher.

On the right bank you will find the old town with its steep narrow streets. One of the city’s sights is the Notre- Dame from the 14th century.

Riom; (65 km)

Is more than worth a visit. Beautiful sights include the Basilica Saint Amable, the palace and the Sainte- Chapelle church. In the old town of Riom you will find several nice shops and lovely terraces.

Clermont- Ferrand; (74km)

Rich in beautiful squares, medieval streets and historic buildings. Like the black gothic church ‘cathedrale- Notre- Dame- de-l’assomption. This church is built with lava stone.

The city also has a large shopping centre, nice boutiques, cafes and trendy restaurants.

Vichy; (93km)

First of all, the famous thermal baths are worth a visit as well as the beautiful Saint-Blaise church and the Art Nouveau-style opera.

Activities other than hiking.

There are many possibilities in the area for day trips with the whole family, for example to ‘Gorges de la Sioule’ where you can canoe (also for those without experience).

Tree-climbing parks, such as the ‘parc écureuil’ in Chatel-Guyon or the beautiful volcanic area where you can hike, cycle, paraglide, mountain climb and swim in a volcanic lake.

And of course the theme/amusement park ‘Vulcania’

click HERE for more day trips (for the whole family) throughout Auvergne