Cradle of the Loire, land of rivers
Between Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Etienne, this is a land of varied landscapes and unspoilt countryside – the Loire Gorges, volcanic hills and plateaus, sweeping views, broom covered moorland, meadows dotted with violets and daffodils, deep forests and lush pastures. What better place for easy family walks or more intensive outdoor pursuits ?
If you are keen on architecture, there is so much to see : extraordinary fortified houses, typical homes built of granite or black volcanic stone, Protestant and Catholic churches, tiny chapels, village assembly houses, wayside crosses, all patiently built over the centuries.
Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to heritage : the first châteaux de la Loire (Rochebaron, Chalencon, Aurec, Monistrol); the many museums and galleries; the places where traditional industries once prospered, such as Retournac (lace making) Pont Salomon (scythe manufacturing), Tence (silk throwing).