The Méouzette Valley
Flayat
The Méouzette Valley
Medium
Difficulty5h30
Duration20,9km
Distance+353m
Positive Elevation-353m
Negative ElevationLoop
Course typeYellow markers
NetworkEmbed this item to access it offline
This long circuit meanders between streams, ponds and peat bogs, and is an aquatic paradise for birds and otters. You will cross the River Méouzette several times on beautiful stone bridges. The walk ends with the chapel of Saint-Clair and its fountain: this is a place of pilgrimage on the Sunday after St. Clair's Day.
4 points of interest
Small patrimony
Randeix drinking fountain
Granite is a ubiquitous material and is also part of our rural heritage. Drinking fountains show the importance of water for breeding land.
Peat bog
Peat bog
Peatlands are ecosystems where plants grow and decompose slowly and incompletely. This results in the accumulation of large amounts of plant material that forms combustible solid: the peat. These fragile wetlands contribute to the hydrological balance, carbon sequestration and the preservation of biodiversity.
Panorama
Panoramic view of the Chaîne des Puys
At the Puy de Chicheix, the path offers a view of the Auvergne volcanoes, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Heritage site
St Clair Chapel
In a wooded environment, the granite Saint-Clair chapel, with a flat chevet and a bell tower-wall, was built in 1730. It was restored in 1758 and 1887.
Nearby, there is an oratory and a spring that is said to have the power to cure eye diseases. The oratory dates back to the Gallo-Roman period, during which the crossroads were dedicated to the worship of deities. It was then that these places were Christianised. The oratory bears witness to the existence of a former pilgrims’way.
Description
- After 50 m take the first road on the left. Where the road forks, go down to the right. At the intersection, turn left.
- At the crossroads turn right.
- At the fork, angle to the right. At the end of the road turn right.
- Take the second road on the left opposite the old Randeix oven.
- 300 yards on, go straight ahead.
- Just past a wet area, turn right into an alley that climbs up through the woods. Go left at the junction.
- Turn right onto the D18. Continue straight ahead and then towards the place known as Le Montfranc and go through it.
- 250 m after the hamlet, at the fork, turn left.
- Continue straight on or alternatively: take the turning to go directly to point 12.
- At La Vedrenne, go uphill to the left by the small road.
- At the corner of the first house in Pralong, go up the low-walled path to the left. Go straight on and continue through the village of Diozidoux.</li> <li> As you leave the village, take the tarmac track on the right just before the mill, the Moulin des Chevilles.
- Take the second path to the left.
- At the intersection, turn left.
- Turn right 700 m further on, cross the Méouzette river, and go through the village of Lépinassolle.
- At the intersection, turn right and then the first road on the left.
- Turn left at the crossroads. Go back down on the road to the Etang de Franouille, turn left at the junction. Go up to the right. At the old Randeix oven, take the road going up to the left.
- At the crossroads, turn right and go down the first path on the right. As you leave the village of Gervais, follow the path on the left.
- Take the stony track on the left. Cut across the road. Continue straight ahead.
- 150 m before the road, head in the direction of the Saint-Clair chapel. After the chapel, descend to the right. Below the fountain, turn left to find a path. Follow this path to the D996. Follow it to the right towards Flayat to reach the starting point.
Departure : Church Square, Flayat
Arrival : Church Square, Flayat
Towns crossed : Flayat, Saint-Oradoux-de-Chirouze, Saint-Merd-la-Breuille
Altimetric profile
Access and parking
10 km from Crocq via the D 996.
Parking :
Church Square, Flayat
Accessibility
Emergency number :
112
More information
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