Pradelles: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Pradelles is one of the villages classified as “Plus Beaux Villages de France” and is situated above Lac de Naussac, overlooking the entire Haut-Allier Valley.

Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Pradelles can consider the village as a destination when planning their stay.

Culture and History

The Chapelle Notre-Dame, including its vaulted passageway and entrance doors, has been partially listed as a historic monument since January 6, 1971. It is the preserved part of the former Hôpital Saint-Jacques, which provided accommodation for pilgrims and sick people.

The Chapelle des pénitents de Pradelles was an independent brotherhood chapel; after a fire in 1680, it was rebuilt and put into use in 1696. Its west façade features a monumental stone surround, whose portal was listed as a historic monument by decree of January 26, 1998.

The former fortified town of Pradelles has medieval lanes lined with houses built over several centuries. The Portail du Besset was its southern gate and preserves remains of the drawbridge or portcullis, as well as the gate-closing structures. It provided access to the Chemin de Régordane, which connected Le Puy-en-Velay with Saint-Gilles. Robert Louis Stevenson passed through the Portail du Besset in September 1878; this event is associated with the GR 70.

The Eglise Saint-Pierre is a neo-Gothic replacement for an older Romanesque church. It features stained-glass windows by Charles Borie, which were restored by Emmanuel Barrois de Lavaudieu.

The historic town of Pradelles can be explored independently at any time; private guided tours are available on request.

Landscape and Surroundings

Suc de Mauras is a mountain in the immediate vicinity of Pradelles, as are Signal de la Narse, Mont Redon, and Mont Tartas.

The Ruine de l'orphelinat des Choisinets is a ruin in the vicinity of Pradelles. Ruines du château de Luc is also a ruin in the vicinity of Pradelles. La Chapelle des Pénitents is a church in the vicinity of Pradelles, as is Église de Langogne.

Routes and Activities

The difficult PR126 La croix de la Vié hiking route starts in Pradelles and is 13.5 kilometres long. It offers views of the Allier Valley and Lac de Naussac and follows old paths lined with wayside crosses.

The PR125 Les châteaux hike follows the banks of the Allier and passes the Vélorail departure station. The route also leads to the long-distance hiking trails GR 70, GR 470, and GR 700.

The Vélorail de Pradelles offers several rides along a former railway line; the vehicles can optionally be equipped with switchable electric assistance.

Other places in the same area: Saint-Julien-D'ance, Salzuit, Cayres, Queyrières, Prades, Montregard, La Chomette, Vielprat

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Haute-Loire.