Livradois-Forez Regional Park

Visit Livradois-Forez Regional Park, Auvergne

The Regional Natural Parc of Livradois-Forez is situated in the Auvergne region of France, in the departments of Puy-de-Dome and Haute-Loire. Chateldon and Thiers are to the north of the parc, Ambert and Usson (near Issoire) to the centre and Brioude, Lavaudieu and La Chaise-Dieu towards the south.

There are also many other smaller villages and hamlets to explore in the forest which is wonderful in all seasons with many changing colours, fauna, flora, mushrooms, red squirrels, deer and many birds of prey.

The landscape of the Livradois-Forez park falls into several distinct regions, each with their own characteristics:

- The Valley of the Dore River, which passes southwards through the north-central section (see also the valley of the Credogne river, a subsidiary of the Dore)

- The exposed landscapes of the Monts du Forez follow the north-east border of the parc

- The gentler hills and slopes to the west around Billom and Foret de la Comte

- The high forested plateau of the southern-central section in the Livradois

- The rolling wooded valleys of the south-west of the Livradois-Forez

- The first stages of Auvergne Volcanos are to the south-east of the region (see also Auvergne Parc of the Volcanoes)

One interesting way to discover the park to consider is to follow the 'route des metiers' which winds through the countryside visiting the castles, museums and artisan workshops of the region - see Livradois-Forez Route des Metiers for details.

The Livradois-Forez Parc is excellent countryside for walking, photography and painting, and popular for both summer and winter sports enthusiasts.

(The picture shown above is of the plan d'eau - a swimming lake with a beach and fishing - at Champagnac-le-Vieux above Brioude and was kindly contributed by the owners of this Haute-Loire gite).

Suggested places to visit near Livradois-Forez Regional Park, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Montpeyroux 32km; Issoire 32km; Chateldon 33km; Saint-Saturnin 40km; Villeneuve-Lembron Chateau 40km; La Chaise-Dieu 42km; Saint-Floret 42km; Clermont-Ferrand 42km; Riom 45km; Mozac 45km; Brioude 47km; Volvic 49km; Saint-Nectaire 49km; Lavaudieu 49km; Vichy 51km; Puy-de-Dome 51km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Livradois-Forez Regional Park

Livradois-Forez Regional Park tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Col des Pradeaux - site of natural beauty (26km) : Eglise de Saint Austremoine d'Issoire (Issoire) - religious monument (32km) : Jardins du château d'Hauterive - remarkable garden (32km) : Eglise de Notre Dame de Mailhat (Lamontgie) - religious monument (34km) : Collégiale Saint-Victor et Sainte-Couronne d'Ennezat (Ennezat) - religious monument (38km) : Cathédrale Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Clermont-ferrand) - religious monument (40km) : Jardins du château de la Batisse - remarkable garden (40km) : Jardins du château d'Opme - remarkable garden (40km) :

French version: see Livradois-Forez Regional Park (Francais)