La Forêt du Dragon

Feeling a bit disappointed by the lack of dragons on site? Then your first port of call must surely be the Sentier de l’Imaginaire sculpture park in Murols (five minutes' drive), where a trail through the woods leads you to all sorts of weird and wonderful beasts created in metal and other arty materials. You can also set off on a longer 15-kilometre hiking trail from Murols if you prefer, or take a wander among the deer and fawns at La Vallée des Daims animal park (half an hour). Getting out on horseback can be done from the riding stables half an hour away, while cooler times in/on/by the water beckon at Plage des Tours (35 minutes), which has a lakeside beach and watersports centre. Fancy adding in a bit of heritage and culture? Take wanders around the ruins of Château de Valon (15 minutes), the village of Montsalvy (20 minutes) and the excellent contemporary ceramics collection at Galerie du Don (half an hour). Aurillac (45 minutes) is a good place to aim for if you’re in the mood for more urban strolls.