20의 에스핀칼가지 명소 & 주요 장소

Surrounded by dense forests and steep cliffs, Lake Pavin is distinguished by its deep blue waters that reflect the surrounding vegetation. This enchanting setting, accessible by a trail, combines perfectly with breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

A very beautiful, little-known lake

Renowned for its perfectly circular shape, Lake Chauvet is what we call a maar (lake of volcanic origin) typical of the region.

Rather rolling gravel track (there is a small part of bitumen in the middle) which offers a magnificent panorama of the summer pastures with the Monts du Cantal on the horizon. Access from the col de chamaroux is a little more technical in gravel but it is quite playable. The reward at the top is a postcard landscape!

The Lac de Bourdouze is located at an altitude of 1170 meters, in the Massif du Sancy. You can get a good view from the road, and if you want to get closer you can, but it will be on a gravel road. You can access the lake year-round, but it freezes during the winter months.

Magnificent little lake where François Mitterrand went every year to taste the truffade.

Lake Pavin is a marvel, yet the name Pavin from which it comes means appalling. Its circular shape leaves no doubt as to its origin: a gigantic volcanic explosion. When we look at its calm waters, it is difficult to imagine how dreadful its creation some 6,900 years ago was. The explosion that formed it was indeed very violent: traces of this maar were found even in the sediments of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

The Notre-Dame de Vassivière chapel was initially erected during the 8th century. In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici ordered its repair. Since then, the chapel has become a major place of pilgrimage. Every summer, when the Black Madonna is transported on the backs of men from the church of Besse, thousands of faithful gather to celebrate the event. According to locals that I met one day on the site, the water flowing from the fountain affixed to the west facade of the building would have medicinal properties. I confided on this subject in my notebook: "Like an elder who has just arrived to fill the six bottles of water which he carries in a small cart, I take out my bottle to enjoy this blessed fountain gods ".