- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- Volcanic waters
€435 / pers
with luggage transfer
Volcanic Waters Do you love water?
Set off by bike to discover the waters of Haute-Loire… The wonder of the “wild Loire” in Goudet, the iconic volcanic lake of Bouchet, and the tumultuous Beaume waterfall—all encounters with water will mark your cycling route. A route that takes in picturesque roads, accessible trails, and a greenway… A delight! To prepare for your cycling trip, check out our tips!
This exotic and authentic trip will introduce you to the diversity of the Haute-Loire waters, the volcanic character (basalt columns) of the department, as well as charming villages like Goudet, Solignac-sur-Loire, Montbonnet, and of course Le Puy-en-Velay. What we love: The tranquility of the trails, the passage to the Beaume waterfall and the magnificent volcanic lake of Bouchet… And the delightful little stops that await you!
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The advantages of your bike tour:
- You travel independently and follow a specially adapted route.
- You can also choose from modern electric bikes for comfort and convenience.
- L’Autre Chemin also offers children’s bikes or child trailers.
- Your stay is half-board
- Easy to navigate, you have access to a digital guidance app.
- Your luggage is delivered at each stop (one bag max. 13kg/person).
- For this trip, the bikes provided by the agency include the guarantee “Sereine mind”. For more information, see the Insurance section.
- Our travel bikes for this trip
Your route:
- Elevation gain 2,800 m – Country roads and trails
- Self-guided cycling tour, you choose your departure
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Medium difficulty – Paths sometimes a little stony and small country roads
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Family: Children aged 11 and over (depending on their ability – variations and additional days are possible to make it accessible to younger children, please contact us)
- Accommodation: In a private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodations)
- IMPORTANT: Cycling touring requires good self-management skills: Knowing how to change an inner tube, repositioning a derailed chain, and also good bike handling skills.
- What climate? See our Frequently Asked Questions
- Program day / day
- What's in your bike tour ?
- Extras
- Accommodation
- Access to le Puy-en-Velay
- Need help ?
Please note that every stopover is given as an indication and may be modified according to the availability of accommodation
A day exploring the town of Le Puy-en-Velay.
An opportunity to discover the Velay city! You'll stroll through the secret streets of the upper town and discover the Cathedral, the starting point of the Way of Saint James.
Discover:
> The Cathedral and its Cloister, the starting point of the Way of Saint James
> Notre-Dame de France
> The Saint-Michel Chapel
> Crozatier Museum
> The narrow streets of the upper town
> The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
> The Polignac Fortress
> Monument passes on sale at the Tourist Office or at the monument ticket offices.
> Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
> The Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)
You'll take the Puy-en-Velay greenway to join the GR70, which climbs the plateaus overlooking the Loire Valley. Along picturesque roads and accessible paths, you'll reach the small village of Chadron before reaching the charming village of Alleyrac, then Saint-Martin-de-Fugères and Goudet.
Discover:
• Brives-Charensac
> The bridges spanning the Loire
• Solignac-sur-Loire
> The ramparts of Solignac overlooking the Loire Valley
• Chadron
> St. Armand Church
> The view of the Loire Valley and much more...
> The Louade Waterfall
The Gazeille Valley going up towards Crouzet
• Alleyrac
> St. Martin Church
> The Scissor Cross
• Saint-Martin de Fugères
> The church
• Goudet
> Stroll through the heart of the village center and discover the polychrome roofs
> Walk along the path that runs along the Loire and leads you to wild gorges
> Beaufort Castle
After a short climb, you'll follow the Loire River, winding above the Loire Valley and further on, reaching Salette. You'll plunge down to the water to reach the other bank and discover the magnificent landscape of the village of Arlempdes. As you climb back up to the plateaus, you'll explore the Beaume waterfall, a 27-meter drop, before reaching Cayres.
Discover:
• Salettes
> Saint-Pierre Church
> Magnificent viewpoints over the Loire Valley
• Arlempdes
> Awarded the Most Beautiful Villages of France label
> The remains of its castle perched on a volcanic peak overlooking the Loire.
> The eco-museum
> Saint-Pierre Church
• Agizoux
> The Beaume waterfall
• Cayres
> Saint-Pierre Church
You will drive through the impressive Lac du Bouchet State Forest to reach Montbonnet and the charming Saint-Roch church. You'll follow the GR 65, better known as the Way of St. James, to reach the cool Dolaizon Valley before returning to the narrow streets of Puy-en-Velay...
End of your stay with luggage collection from 5 p.m. at our partner's location, or with an optional extra night in Puy-en-Velay (overnight stay & breakfast with luggage delivery to the hotel).
Discover:
• Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
> The volcanic lake of Bouchet
> A walk in the forest
> Pedal boat rental
• Montbonnet
> The Saint-Roch Chapel on the Way of St. James
• Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaizon
> The 12th-century church
> The verdant Dolaizon Valley
Prices include:
- Accommodation in a double, twin, or multiple-occupancy room with half-board
- Tourist taxes,
- Luggage transfer at the stopover (one bag, max. 13kg/person),
- Access to the guidance app and travel diary,
- Telephone assistance.
Extras
- Electric bike rental or a non-electric bike rental, two rear panniers, a helmet, a light repair kit,
- Multrisks and cancellation insurance
- Single supplement
- Additional night in Le Puy-en-Velay (B&B basis)
This price does not include
- Transportation and transfers to the starting point Meals other than those listed in the description
- Multirisks and annulation insurance
- Parking Bike rental
- GPX tracks (we do not provide GPX tracks for our routes – guidance via the app)
- Drinks, spending money, any visits or activities
- Generally, anything not listed in the “This price includes” section
Administration fees
- €12/person if ordered online
- €15/person via quote
As an optional extra, L’Autre Chemin offers:
You want to rent a bike
- Electric-assisted hybrid bike rental with two 20-liter panniers: +€215/bike
- Non-electric hybrid bike rental with two 20-liter panniers: +€145/bike
If you plan to travel with your bike, please ensure certain points: If it is an electric-assisted bike, the battery must have a minimum power of 400 or even 500 watts. Please note: the battery must be removable; if not, please contact us to check availability. It is imperative that your bike is in perfect working order before departure. Remember to have it serviced. Please bring a suitable repair kit and a smartphone mount for the handlebars. Our routes combine small roads and trails; your bike must be a hybrid, mountain bike, or gravel bike with suitable tires. City and road bikes are therefore prohibited. Our trips are more or less sporty, and a basket on the handlebars is to be avoided, as are large city bags. You’ll be riding on trails, and this type of equipment risks destabilizing the bike’s balance and making it difficult to transfer bikes (similarly, front mudguards make it difficult to load bikes onto trailers, so avoid them). Any doubts? Contact us.
L’Autre Chemin has developed numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small traditional hotels to offer you the best of Haute-Loire and to ensure that each stopover is an opportunity to discover the architecture, the art of living, the gastronomy, but also a moment of exchange and meeting.
By Train
The town of Le Puy-en-Velay has a train station that takes you right to the city center, close to your first hotel and all the sights and shops. In short, it’s very pleasant to take the train from home to begin your cycling trip to Le Puy. Psst, even if the journey may seem long, when you arrive via Saint-Etienne, the tracks run alongside the wild Loire Valley, a very pleasant sight.
By Car
Le Puy is accessible by road, notably via two main roads: the RN88 from Saint-Etienne/Lyon or Aubenas/Mende, or via the RN102 (Clermont-Ferrand). There are suitable parking lots on site, but we’ll explain everything in your travel guide!
- Paris: 515km
- Lyon: 134km
- Marseille: 300km
- Toulouse: 350km
- Montpellier: 250km
Where to park in Le Puy?
- Breuil underground car park – Place du Breuil (near Ibis Styles and Ibis Centre) – Closed Sundays and public holidays – 7 days: €60 & 14 days: €100/14 days – Reservations: +33 4 71 02 03 54
Le Puy above-ground car parks – Rates: €10/week and €20/month. Subscriptions must be reserved and paid in advance at the Mobilité-en-Velay commercial center. Tel. +33 4 71 02 60 11 (open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) – Height limit 2.20 m & length 5.50 m maximum. These car parks are served by a free shuttle or the urban transport network.
- Bertrand de Doue Parking: Parking without video (near train station, Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Estrouilhas Parking: Parking without video (near Ibis Centre)
- Quincieu Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video (near Ibis Centre)
- Montredon Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video (free bus service to the city center)
- Dunant Parking (free bus service to the city center)
- Train Station Parking: Video-monitored parking – €6 / 24 hours (near Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Carmes Parking: Video-monitored parking – €30 / week – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81 (near Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Foch Parking – 6 avenue du Maréchal Foch – Video surveillance – (near Ibis Styles & Budget) – 7 days: €30 & 14 days: €60 – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
- Saint-Jacques Parking (Center served by bus) – 13 bis de Roderie – Aiguilhe – Video surveillance – Reservation: +33 4 44 43 97 43 – 7 days: €29 & 14 days: €55 (near Ibis Center)
- La Malle Postale – Parking at 7km from Le Puy – Drop-off and pick-up guaranteed – 7 days / 7– 7 days: €30 & 15 days: €50 – Reservation: 04 71 04 21 79 Prices given for information purposes only, subject to change without notice
Whether you want to book your cycling trip to the heart of the Mézenc highlands or ask us any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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