Discovery of the livradois-forez natural park

Two hours away from lyon the livradois-forez park has vast, well preserved landscapes, rich in wildelife and vegetals.

Town of billom  25 km away from Clermont - Ferrand, discover this beautiful town, rich of history.  First a Gallic village, it became at the time of the Romans an important stop between Lyon and Bordeaux. The main activities that attracted people during the years were: trade, education and religion.  Things to see: Ecole du Chapitre, XIIIth c., 4th University of France, XVIth c.: 1st Jesuit College, St-Cerneuf and St-Loup churches

Touristic train  On board of a trouristic train, from Courpière to Sembadel, you will be amazed by the breathtaking landscapes. You will see the towns of Olliergues, Ambert, Arlanc, La Chaise-Dieu.

Château-musée lafayette  In the confines of Auvergne country, in the little village of Chavaniac in Haute-Loire, there is the birthplace of the famous General Marquis de Lafayette, a XIVth century house, reshaped and restored several times.  This historical and uncommon man, known all over the world, as well as his charming house have pushed a team of passionned men into saving his Manor by making alive Lafayette's story.  The Memorial Lafayette set up an audio-visual itinerary, to carry you with a great pleasure troughout the Château, in the heart of the XVIIIth century.

Museum of the fabrication of paper  Close to the town of Ambert you will discover the last "paper mill" in the Auvergne. In fact, this region was among the first ones in France to make paper.  The mill is still in activity and makes about 400 sheets of paper per day. It is also the first "live museum" in France.

Cutlery in thiers  Thiers has been and still is for many centuries the big cutlery center in France.  The origin of this specialization goes back to the Middle Ages : according to a legend, the Auvergnats crusaders during the first crusade were meant to have brought back from the East the manufacturing secret. In reality, the metallurgical allowed the town to export its goods from 16 th century to Spain, Holland and Lombardy. Blades of all types were ground on stones activated by the Durolle. But the cutlers'work has been modernized and we can no longer see, as the photo protrays. The grinder buying on his legs to keep him warm. The technical progress and electricity have given bith to powerful factories. However Thiers still has almost 300 manufacturers of craftsmen. The craftsmen still quite a lot, show their known-how with the new techniques still keeping their respect for quality create and manufacture.

Donkey ride  Discovery of the beauty of the landscapes on a donkey ride.

The velay volcans  In Saint-Julien-d'Ance, the Bourianne rocky waterfall is a proof of an ancient volcano in eruption. It is the entering gate for the volcanic landscapes of Velay.