La Chanterelle

The site's well placed for all sorts of outdoor activities, such as swimming in the lake (lifeguarded in July and August), fishing from spring to early autumn, or foraging in the forest for mushrooms and wild fruit. Mountain biking and horse riding are both within easy reach, as is bungee jumping for the truly adventurous... Or take it easy and ask the team about visits to one of the local farms, to sample organic produce, help out with the animals and try out famed regional dishes like aligot and truffles. Further afield, have days out to communes like Brioude or Lavaudieu within 25 minutes' drive, La Chaise Dieu within 35 and Blesle within 45, and around the many small churches in Haute-Loire hamlets. Ally and its old mills and windmills is 45 minutes' drive south; to the south east, an hour and 10 minutes or so will take you to Le Puy-en-Velay, with its statues and monuments carefully set on rocks. The theme park of Vulcania is an hour and a half away.