Saint-Genès-Champanelle: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Saint-Genès-Champanelle is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Tectonic hotspot of the Chaîne des Puys – Limagne fault”, which was added to the World Heritage List in 2018 and is of volcanic origin. The Parc naturel régional des volcans d’Auvergne encompasses the entire area of Saint-Genès-Champanelle.

Those who choose Saint-Genès-Champanelle as their holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment there.

Nature

The Gorges de l’Artière between Berzet and Plat d’Auzat near Theix are part of the Natura 2000 site “Vallées et coteaux xérothermiques des Couzes et des Limagnes”. The Puys de la Vache and de Lassolas are also part of the Natura 2000 site “Chaîne des Puys”.

Paths and activities

In Saint-Genès-Champanelle, L’Escapad’ is a centre for outdoor sports and nature-based leisure activities, as well as a visitor information point and access point for outdoor activities. Hiking, Nordic walking, running, trail running, orienteering, mountain biking and cycling tours are possible there. Numerous paths in Saint-Genès-Champanelle are open to walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers.

L’Escapad’ has a permanent sports and family orienteering course with a questionnaire. The free information map for the family orienteering course is available at the L’Escapad’ reception desk, the starting point of the route. The sports orienteering course in Saint-Genès-Champanelle is 3.2 km long, free to access and includes 12 checkpoints with questions about local history.

The signposted circular hike “Le petit Saint Aubin” leads from L’Escapad’ to the Chapelle Saint-Aubin and the Chabanat spring; it is 10 km long. It is accessible every day from 1 January to 31 December. The “Balade en forêt | Depuis L’Escapad” hike passes through the typical hamlet of Beaune-le-Chaud and offers views of preserved washhouses, fountains and rural buildings. At the same time, it passes through shady woodland and offers a view of the puy de Dôme.

The “Randonnée Charade | Depuis L’Escapad” hike leads into the Charade area and to the tombeau de Thèdes. It offers views of the puy de Dôme and the Gorges de l’Artière and passes through Manson and Berzet. There, it reveals washhouses, chapels, crosses and covered fountains made of lava stone. The hike at the Croix de Beaune offers views of the puys de la Vache, de Lassolas and de Mercoeur. The circular route at the Croix de Beaune is relatively easy and flat and is suitable for families, beginners and school groups.

The “La Traversée de l’Auzon” hike starts at L’Escapad’ and leads via the access point to the Gorges de l’Artière.

Culture

The Chapelle Gonod, also known as the tombeau de Thèdes, is a funerary chapel built in the 19th century for Benoit Gonod and his wife. A path running around the Chapelle Gonod offers panoramic views of the village, the Circuit de Charade and the Limagne plain.

The Chapelle Saint-Aubin, inaugurated in 1954, houses the Chabana or Chabanat spring. The Chapelle Saint-Aubin can only be viewed from the outside. The Église Saint-Nicolas is a Romanesque church made of arkose sandstone dating from the 12th century and serves as the starting point for the footpath to Notre-Dame d’Orcival, an important pilgrimage site.

Practical information

L’Escapad’ can be reached by bus route P39 via the “St Genès Centre” stop.

Other places in the directory: Les Pradeaux, Cébazat, Pérignat-Lès-Sarliève, Chastreix, Pont-Du-Château, Ménétrol, Parentignat, Châteauneuf-Les-Bains.

To the overview of the surrounding destination: Puy-De-Dôme.