Ambert · 14 km
Ambert Thursday Morning Market
One of the largest traditional open-air markets in the Puy-de-Dôme, filling the streets around the round town hall with local cheeses, charcuterie, honey, and crafts.
Directions →Top Things to Do in Livradois-Forez
Thirty thoughtfully chosen places and activities exploring the craft, landscapes and stories of Livradois-Forez.
Featured placePlan your visit
Moulin Richard de Bas (Paper Mill)
“The oldest operating paper mill in France, producing handmade paper since the 14th century for historical documents and fine art. Features guided tours and paper-making workshops.”
Ambert →Distance
15 km
Journey
≈ 20 min
⌖ Closest to Le Monestier
The easiest discoveries from your gîte, ordered by distance.
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☂️ Ideas for a rainy day
Museums, heritage and local craft to enjoy under cover.
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☀️ Make the most of fine weather
Landscapes, lakes and outdoor adventures.
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Explore all 30 places
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30 places
14 kmAmbert
Ambert Thursday Morning Market
One of the largest traditional open-air markets in the Puy-de-Dôme, filling the streets around the round town hall with local cheeses, charcuterie, honey, and crafts.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
14 kmAmbert
Mairie Ronde d'Ambert (Town Hall)
A rare, completely round town hall constructed in 1819, located right in the heart of historic Ambert.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
14 kmAmbert
Maison de la Fourme d'Ambert et des Fromages
Interactive museum dedicated to the famous PDO blue cheese of the Forez mountains, exploring traditional cheese-making methods with tasting sessions.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
14 kmAmbert
Plan d'Eau d'Ambert
A lakeside park featuring a supervised swimming area, walking paths, kids' playgrounds, picnic spots, and boat rentals.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
15 kmAmbert
Moulin Richard de Bas (Paper Mill)
The oldest operating paper mill in France, producing handmade paper since the 14th century for historical documents and fine art. Features guided tours and paper-making workshops.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
15 kmAmbert
Mus'énergie (Musée de la Machine Agricole)
Displays steam engines, vintage tractors, and industrial machinery tracing the technological evolution of rural farming in Auvergne.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
15 kmAmbert
Tourist Train Agrivap (Train de la Découverte)
A historic tourist railway linking Ambert, La Chaise-Dieu, and Sembadel through dramatic pine forests, gorges, and viaducts.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
15 kmAmbert
Vélorail du Livradois-Forez
Pedal-powered railbikes following disused historic railway tracks through rural scenery and over stone bridges.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
16 kmCunlhat
Base de Loisirs du Plan d’Eau de Cunlhat
A serene swimming lake surrounded by pine forests, featuring a waterslide, mini-golf, fishing zones, and a seasonal snack bar.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
18 kmSaint-Martin-des-Olmes
Musée de l'École 1900
A faithfully restored 1900s classroom experience where visitors write with quill pens and ink wells while discovering rural education in old France.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
21 kmSaillant
Volcan du Montpeloux
An extinct basaltic volcano crater transformed into an open-air amphitheater that hosts outdoor concerts and theatrical shows during summer.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
24 kmArlanc
Atelier de Dentelle d'Arlanc (Lace Museum)
Preserves the tradition of bobbin lacemaking (dentelle aux fuseaux) with live demonstrations and historical lace displays.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
24 kmArlanc
Château de Mons
A majestic Renaissance castle offering guided interior tours, historic gardens, and panorama views of the Dore valley.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
24 kmArlanc
Jardin pour la Terre
A unique 6-hectare botanical park designed in the shape of a world map, containing over 2,000 plant species representing different continents.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
27 kmGrandrif
Col des Pradeaux & Lac des Pradeaux
A mountain pass at 1,195 m with a stunning reservoir dam, scenic trail walks, and a cozy mountain inn for rustic local meals.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
30 kmMontmorin
Château de Montmorin
Ancient fortress ruins sitting atop a volcanic hill offering sweeping panoramic views of the Livradois valley and the Chaîne des Puys.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
32 kmBillom
Billom Monday Morning Market
A historic market dating back to the Middle Ages, offering fresh produce from local farms, garlic specialities (Ail Rose de Billom), and Auvergne delicacies.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
32 kmBillom
Historic Medieval Center of Billom
Known as the 'Tuscany of Auvergne,' Billom features half-timbered houses, narrow medieval streets, and rich architectural heritage.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
34 kmSaint-Anthème
Prabouré Station de Montagne
Outdoor adventure park featuring giant zip lines, mountain karts, tubing, rando-ferrata climbing, and downhill scooters in summer, plus winter snow sports.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
35 kmLa Chaise-Dieu
Abbaye de La Chaise-Dieu
A stunning 14th-century Benedictine Gothic abbey housing famous Flemish tapestries, the 'Danse Macabre' fresco, and the renowned summer Sacred Music Festival.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
38 kmSermentizon
Château de Aulteribe
One of the most richly furnished castles in France, managed by the National Monuments Centre, boasting tapestries, antique furniture, and fine art collections.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
38 kmSaint-Pierre-la-Bourlhonne
Col du Béal & Les Hautes-Chaumes
Sweeping subalpine heather plateau at 1,390 m offering 360-degree views, walking trails, and traditional jasseries (stone shepherd huts).
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
42 kmLezoux
Musée de la Céramique de Lezoux
Housed in a former pottery factory, this museum highlights Lezoux's ancient status as one of the largest terra-sigillata pottery centers in the Roman Empire.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
45 kmThiers
Vallée des Rouets (Cutlers' Valley)
Picturesque wooded gorge trail past ruined 19th-century watermills where knife grinders (émouleurs) used water power to sharpen blades.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
48 kmThiers
Creux de l'Enfer (Contemporary Art Center)
Built directly over a roaring river gorge inside a former cutlery factory, this national art center hosts modern installations.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
48 kmThiers
Musée de la Coutellerie (Cutlery Museum)
Located in the medieval center of Thiers (France’s knife capital), this museum showcases centuries of knifemaking history, blade forging demonstrations, and traditional craftsmanship.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
48 kmThiers
Usine du May (Contemporary Art Center)
A repurposed industrial cutlery factory in the Vallée des Usines hosting modern art exhibitions, photography, and cultural events.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
50 kmMurat-le-Quaire
Scénomusée Toinette et Julien
An immersive visual and acoustic theater setting telling the story of 19th-century Auvergne rural life through the lives of two local historical figures.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
52 kmSaint-Rémy-sur-Durolle
Lac de Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle
A scenic mountain lake offering swimming, pedal boats, paddleboarding, sandy beaches, and surrounding forest walking trails.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
62 kmSaint-Priest-la-Prugne
Pic de Montoncel
The highest summit in the northern Livradois-Forez (Bois Noirs massif) at 1,287 m, ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and forest panoramic walks.
Check current opening times and access arrangements on the official website before visiting.
Your Basecamp in Le Monestier
Nestled in the high peaks of the Livradois-Forez, our properties in Le Monestier offer the perfect starting point for your mountain adventures and historic discoveries.
Ancienne École
A Romantic Retreat for Couples
4 guests2 bedrooms
Maison Marthe
For Family and Friends
6 guests3 bedrooms
Chez Amélie
Intimate Farmhouse Charm
6 guests2 bedrooms
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Ready to explore the Livradois-Forez? Check availability for our character properties below.