Ambert

Visit Ambert, Auvergne

Ambert is in the Puy-de-Dome department, in eastern Auvergne. The quiet, pleasant town is within the attractive surroundings of the Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez.

There is a small historic centre in the town which has some colombage houses and other buildings of interest, and is well placed for exploring the villages, hamlets and local countryside.

While strolling around the town note in particular the 15th century gothic style Church of Saint-Jean (I was told later it is possible to go up the belltower for lovely views but didn't realise it was possible at the time...). The mairie in the town is also of interest - a round building that was formerly the town grain hall.

Take a stroll also in the well mantained park in the centre of Ambert.

Ambert Museums and traditions

For many centuries the town was the French centre for paper-making, with the high point for the industry during the renaissance. There is a museum in the town to commemorate this history. There is also an active paper mill where visitors are welcome (you will come across other paper mills as you explore the surrounding countryside).

The second museum in the town, the Maison de la Fourme d’Ambert, is dedicated to the longstanding tradition of cheesemaking - the Fourme d'Ambert. Ambert is a 'classified AOC' cheese - be sure to try it!

A third museum, the Musée de la Machine Agricole et à Vapeur, is devoted to the local agricultural and industrial heritage of Ambert and features a collection of tractors and steam engines.

Around Ambert

The region is usually visited for the surrounding landscapes of hills, pastures and woodlands, unspoiled and ideal for walking and cycling on the quiet roads. Several waymarked paths are suggested by the local tourist office to help you make the most of your visit, including a walk along the banks of the River Dore and an interesting trail that passes some of the local paper mills.

Many of the local villages are of interest, and many have small historical centres, traditional churches (such as Champetières, Marsac-en-Livradois, Grandrif) or small local museums (Saint-Martin-des-Olmes), or are in particularly lovely surroundings (eg Saint-Just, Valcivières, Saint-Ferréol-des-Cotes and Job). The individual villages don't take long to explore but a day or two touring the area is recommended, incorporating a picnic or two or a visit to a local restaurant, and visiting a couple of the local workshops that are open to the public.

There is also a small tourist train that passes through the surrounding countryside of the Livradois-Forez region leaving from Ambert (summer only).

Friends with children recommended a visit to the animal park at Bouy, where children can come into close contact with small animals (goats, pigs, rabbits etc)

Tourist classifications for Ambert: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Ambert, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Thiers 37km; Issoire 38km; Lavaudieu 39km; Brioude 40km; Montpeyroux 43km; Villeneuve-Lembron Chateau 44km; Saint-Floret 49km; Chateldon 51km; Blesle 51km; Saint-Saturnin 52km; Saint-Etienne 52km; Allier gorges 54km; Clermont-Ferrand 57km; Le Puy-en-Velay 57km; Saint-Nectaire 58km; Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Ambert

Ambert tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Col des Pradeaux - site of natural beauty (8km) : Jardin de l’écomusée - remarkable garden (24km) : Eglise de Notre Dame de Mailhat (Lamontgie) - religious monument (33km) : Jardins du château d'Hauterive - remarkable garden (38km) : Eglise de Saint Austremoine d'Issoire (Issoire) - religious monument (38km) : Basilique de Saint Julien (Brioude) - religious monument (40km) : Abbaye Saint-Andre (Lavaudieu) - religious monument (43km) : Eglise de Saint Georges (Saint-Paulien) - religious monument (44km) :

French version: see Ambert (Francais)