Tourism
in Auvergne
Located in the Auvergne region, southeast of the Auvergne Volcanoes regional natural park, in Haute-Loire, CosyCamp will be the perfect opportunity for you and your family to explore the surroundings. Come discover explosion volcanoes like at Lake Bouchet or sub-lacustrine volcanoes at Puy-en-Velay. You will discover beautiful lava flows and exceptional waterfalls to explore.
Auvergne
Whether you are a fan of relaxing or thrill-seeking, there is something for everyone and all ages. Visit a Medieval village, hike around the volcanoes of Auvergne in Haute-Loire, take a gourmet break to linger on the culinary specialties, natural swimming and shower under a waterfall, we are far from mass tourism here. An environment conducive to rejuvenation, for a meaningful holiday.
Chamalières sur Loire
A medieval village on the banks of the Loire… Organized around its Romanesque church from the 12th century, the village has been a stop on the pilgrimage route of Saint James of Compostela for centuries.
A paradise for fishermen, hikers, and nature lovers, our village attracts vacationers in search of tranquility and relaxation. The beauty of the surroundings and its history leave no one indifferent and all just a few minutes from our camping in Auvergne.
Le Puy en Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay is the European capital of the routes of Saint James of Compostela – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The spiritual dimension of the city is combined with the natural force of the elements. The chapel of Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe, perched on a volcanic flue in the city center, is a gem of Romanesque art. The statue of the Virgin seems to watch over the city, and the Notre Dame cathedral is listed as a World Heritage site. However, it is the entire preserved and well-maintained old pedestrian city that is remarkably noteworthy.
Particularly worth visiting on Saturday mornings, the day of the local producers’ market in the heart of the old city. All summer long, you will discover dazzling live performances.
The Way of Saint James
The GR3 Source and Gorges of the Loire, arriving from Retournac (5km from the campsite) and passes in front of CosyCamp on the opposite bank. Bridges allow for day-long hikes, such as this one situated upstream from Retournac. This route reaches the Artias site via a marked trail.
Many trails including the PR such as PR667 From the Loire Banks to Suc d’Artias start directly at CosyCamp. Cross with one of the canoes, leave it on the other side, and embark on the hike to the castle ruins opposite the campsite.
Also come to discover the volcano split in two: Rocher de Costaros (948m) and suc de Bartou (or de Barthou) (984m) also starting from CosyCamp.
The Volcanoes of Auvergne
Volcanic activity shaped Auvergne for 15 million years, and eruptions ceased very recently, just 7000 years ago. The exceptional relief of the Haute-Loire was shaped by lava flows of very diverse types that created a multitude of volcanic forms. Lava flows, peat bogs, submarine volcanoes, basalt columns… etc.
The suc-volcanoes that form the landscape near CosyCamp are cone-shaped mountains. About 12 million years ago, faults opened and magma rose and solidified very quickly on the surface. This wealth provided the materials for the built heritage we see today. Dry stone walls, lauze roofs, or phonolite.
If 80 volcanoes form the Puys range of the Massif Central, there are more than 300 that make up the landscape of Haute-Loire. To help you discover its volcanoes, freely, download the brochure “Volcanoes in Freedom”.
Camping the volcanoes of Auvergne
The Gorges of the Wild Loire
CosyCamp is located in the Gorges of the Wild Loire in the Pays du Velay, Haute-Loire, Auvergne. We think of the Loire as the wide “royal river,” from the region of the châteaus in the Loire Valley.
But in Velay the young and tumultuous Loire meets the Auvergne volcanoes. The Loire is the longest river in France and originates at Mont Gerbier de Jonc, north of Ardèche.
In the Upper Loire Valley up to Puy-en-Velay, it forcefully forges a path through the volcanic plateau and presents gorges that are rugged and rocky. From Lavoûte-sur-Loire, its course can finally expand freely in the plains of Emblavez, where we are located. The Loire here reminds us more than elsewhere that it is the last wild river in Europe, still untamed, punctuated by the very first Loire châteaus.
The fauna here is amazing and wild: otters, red kites, Eurasian eagle-owls, grey herons, short-toed snakes, white-clawed crayfish, pearl mussels….
A large part of the gorges are located in a protected area at the European level: Natura 2000 zone.
In the history of Velay, the Loire has been both a constraint and a natural source of wealth through fishing and the use of its power in mills. Today, it offers numerous leisure and relaxation activities!
Mont Mézenc
Reach new heights! At 1753m, Mont Mézenc is the highest point in Haute-Loire. Whether it’s during a hike, on an assisted bicycle, or on a donkey ride, the iconic landscapes of the Mézenc highlands are a must-see.
Climb the steep slopes, and after a 1.5-hour walk starting from the Croix de Peccata, you’ll find a panorama and an orientation table of the Auvergne and its Volcanoes. On clear days, you can even see the Alps.
Another option from the village of Les Estables, built with volcanic stone, is a 3-hour tour around Mont Mézenc following path PR 484. You might even encounter a Marmot, or large birds of prey like the Short-toed snake eagle.
Wonderful.
La Chaise Dieu
Panoramic Train
We recommend you travel to La Chaise Dieu by Panoramic Train, which departs from Craponne, 20 minutes from CosyCamp. The train crosses the Livradois Forez Regional Park before reaching the vicinity of the La Chaise Dieu Abbey.
The Abbey of La Chaise Dieu
The Abbey of La Chaise Dieu gained its fame thanks to Clement VI the Magnificent, a monk from the monastery of La Chaise Dieu who became Pope in Avignon in 1342. The new Pope granted many privileges to the abbey where he grew up. He is buried in the abbey church, in a marble effigy made during his lifetime. A center of European religious influence in the Middle Ages, the Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu is today renowned for its classical music festival. This Gothic gem was restored from 2010 to 2016 with its 15th Century Fresco.
The Hall of Echoes
Upon exiting, do not miss visiting the Hall of Echoes, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. This hall, with its exceptional acoustics, allows communication from one corner of the room to the opposite corner, the words following the edge of the vault. This surprising medieval wireless telephone will amuse children and interest adults.
Medieval village of Chalencon
A medieval marvel. At the crossroads of the provinces of Velay, Languedoc and Forez, Chalencon was a radiant place in the Middle Ages. Remarkably protected and restored by its inhabitants, the village that has never seen asphalt still inspires today and visitors can discover a place carefully preserved by its inhabitants.
The village carved in stone houses a castle and a chapel, which dominate the Ance valley. Do not forget to go down to see the legendary Devil’s Bridge at the bottom, which spans the Ance…
The Beaume Waterfall
The Beaume Waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Auvergne. The tributary of the Loire springs from ancient lava flows to fall 27 meters below into a large circus made of basalt organs. It is located at an altitude of 900 meters in the Agizoux forest between the towns of Le Brignon and Solignac-sur-Loire. The path is made with a trail that follows the river’s course. You will see caves. Clearly, we are not the first to find the place interesting.
Greenway. You can reach the neighboring towns by bike, and make a detour by the waterfall, by taking the most beautiful greenway. As it is a former railway line on very rugged terrain, viaducts tunnels galore from Brives Charensac to Solignac. A beautiful path. Electric bike rental in Brives-Charensac.
Firminy, and the architectural works by the architect Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier was an urban planner, architect, but also a designer, sculptor, painter, and decorator, a leading representative of the “modern movement” in the first half of the 20th century. Inventor of the housing unit, he incorporated in the same building all the collective facilities from schools to shops.
Firminy is the second city in the world with the largest concentration of the Architect’s works. (House of Culture, Church, Housing Unit, Stadium, Swimming Pool). The entire ensemble is classified as a historical monument and the House of Culture is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage.
Vulcania Leisure Park
Located in the Puy-de-Dôme (2 hours from CosyCamp) and set in the heart of the Chaîne des Puys in the Massif Central, Vulcania is a unique park in the world centered around the theme of volcanoes. Learning and having fun at the same time is the ambition of this place which welcomes 300,000 visitors each year, in a space mainly underground and remarkably integrated into nature.
Educational animations and conferences mingle with thrilling attractions and interactive experiences in Auvergne offered by state-of-the-art technology. A good outing idea in case of bad weather.
The Pinatelle of the Zouave
A pinatelle is a pine forest. This one is located at a place called “the Zouave”.
This managed forest highlights the practice of pruning Scots pine by farmers at the beginning of the century to ensure the supply of firewood for bakers’ ovens. After centuries of pruning aimed at cutting back as many low-lying branches as possible, the bonsai trees have taken on twisted, surprising, and even unsettling shapes at twilight.
A wonderful place for a walk in the shade of the pines, recreational, the Zouave’s pinatelle is equipped with platforms around trees for your picnics, an area dedicated to building huts, and a sanitary block.
The Leisure Base next to CosyCamp
4 giant zip lines cross the Loire in front of CosyCamp, with more than 1km of trail offering a breathtaking view of the Loire River, an adventure park also in Saint Paulien, 35 minutes from CosyCamp.
Canoe Nature Leisure offers you to discover the Loire River by canoe, the last great wild river. 2 wild Loire descent courses are possible: one starting from Cosycamp and a second 20 minutes by car.
The Leisure Base of Lavalette
The Lavalette water body is created by a dam, with particularly pure water supplying the city of Saint-Etienne with drinking water. Supervised swimming, water activities (canoeing, catamaran, dinghy, pedal boat, rowing, etc.), playgrounds. The Pine Park covers 220 hectares, and you can walk or mountain bike around the creeks (29 km).
The Via Ferrata of Puy des Juscles
A very beautiful Via Ferrata, offering breathtaking views of the Volcanoes and the wild Loire gorges. Varied, it even includes a “speleo” part… Monkey bridges, zip line, cave, climbing: 2 complete courses for beginners or for athletes. Not allowed for children under 1.40 m. Free access. Equipment rental available directly at Alternatif du Pertuis store.
The Vélorail of Dunière
The unusual ride! A Vélorail is a cart that rolls on a railway track. But gone are the days when parents pedaled and waited impatiently for the adventure to end. The ascent is now done by train. And you gently descend the slope on the way back, crossing through tunnels and viaducts. You travel through a geographic area of medium altitude (800m) of wild forests, not accessible by car.
