Camping De Mars

The hiking and biking trails nearby include the 10-kilometre Mars peninsula path starting from the churchyard in Cordelle, passing Camping de Mars and the hamlets of Le Crêt and La Perrière on a circular loop. Bikes can be hired on site if you'd prefer to ride the route. Vino fans should take a gander at the Château de Boen winemakers' museum, within 40 minutes' drive at Boën castle, with displays including alcohol stills, info on winegrowing and artefacts sent in by local winegrowers. A few kilometres from there is Volerie du Forez, where the eagle-eyed can spy falcons on display, or learn to handle them under the supervision of an experienced falconer. Several traditional French villages including Semur-en-Brionnais (55 minutes), Charlieu (45 minutes), Lapalisse and Oingt (both around an hour) are within day trip distance. Or travel along to the spectacular greenery of two Remarkable Gardens of France: the gardens of Romans de Varenne-l'Arconce an hour and 10 minutes away, and the Garden of the Zéphyr within an hour and a half.