"Les Combrailles" is a huge plateau from which Mother Nature has carved out valleys and gorges. A plateau dotted with pools and peaceful little villages. An area offering a well-preserved natural setting.
With the rivers, streams, waterfalls and pools, water is to be found wherever you look in the Combrailles area and in particular in Chateauneuf-les-Bains, a pleasant spa resort located in the Sioule gorges, offering a paradise for those who enjoy fishing, bathing and water sports.

In the comfort of a hot air balloon, you'll soon see that the gorges, meanders (including the must-see Queuille meander) and the volcanic lakes (Gour de Tazenat) stand out far more clearly when viewed from up in the air, during a trip which also gives you an opportunity to see the local monuments in a completely different light. You can also explore the region’s various trails by hiking, cycling or horse riding, by horse-drawn carriage or accompanied by a donkey! Numerous routes are available combining rustic landscapes and fascinating heritage features.

This has always been a region synonymous with history, and its traces are still with us today including the homes of famous individuals (an example being General Desaix at the manor of Veygoux), the former haunts of the French resistance fighters, the museums and the mines. When it comes to architecture, history has left its mark in the form of bridges (Menat) viaducts (Les Fades), castles (Chazeron or Rocher, etc), churches, monasteries and mills.

You’ll also almost certainly enjoy the sites dealing with the themes of the region’s volcanic activity (Vulcania, the Lemptégy volcano), its flora and fauna, or its parks and arboretums. Nature has been particularly rich and generous here, providing everything needed to successfully develop a wealth of tasty local products and produce. The locals are particularly attached to biodiversity and to the protection of the Combrailles area’s natural resources.

This flair for skilled work can be clearly seen in the region's craft industries. The local potters, spinners, enamellers, ironworkers, sculptors and glassmakers possess unique know-how in their respective fields. Local traditions also live on through the village festivals, markets, fairs and concerts organised here throughout the year!
Whether you’re staying in a hotel, a B&B, a gîte or a campsite, you'll be dealing with accommodation providers and restaurant owners with a passion for their work and their region, all too happy to pass on their enthusiasm for the Combrailles area.

www.tourisme-combrailles.fr