Visit Haute-Loire
The Haute-Loire department is best known for the very attractive pilgrimage town and historic monuments at Le Puy-en-Velay, but spend a while exploring and you will discover and enjoy many less visited highlights in this picturesque department...
Selected places to visit in Haute-Loire
Haute-Loire highlights
The Haute-Loire department is found in the south-east of the Auvergne region.
The town and basilica at Brioude and the classified beautiful village at Lavaudieu are in the north-east of the Haute-Loire department, as is the pretty village of Blesle. The substantal benedictine Abbey at La Chaise-Dieu is also here, and features various impressive features, chief of which is the 26 metre long 15th century fresco 'Danse Macabre'.
To the south of here, the 14th century chateau and imposing towers of Chavaniac-Lafayette benefits from a locally warm climate to also have impressive gardens.
To the east of Le-Puy-en-Velay the chateau at Polignac stands on a great rock in what must be one of the best 'naturally defended' positions possible, while a little way south the Abbey at Solignac is a good example of the roman style architecture and features impressive carvings.
South of Le Puy en Velay the plateau rises to around 1350 metres between the River Loire, here a fairly gentle stream, and the Allier, a real mountain stream which flows deep, green and crystal clear from the Cevennes through the impressive Gorges of the l’Haut Allier, a signposted tourist route.
At Arlempdes on the Loire, music and theatrical manifestations are held in the castle every summer, while Pradelles is also a small, very old, historic and picturesque town perched high above the valley. The walk around the lake at Bouchet (west of Arlempdes) has also been recommended to us. Head also for the summit ot Mont Mezenc on the border with Ardeche (the mountain has two summits - one in Haute-Loire and one in Ardeche) for a particularly far-reaching view across the region.
The southern part of the Livradois-Forez Natural Regional Parc falls in the Haute-Loire department.
See also a personal account of life and highlights of a visit to the Haute-Loire
See a list of all Haute-Loire communes
Map of Haute-Loire
Page in French? See Haute-Loire (Francais)
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