Camping Le Sauzet

You can’t miss the Livradois forest, a huge wooded area for exploration by foot or bike. Three walking trails start from the farm with a further six from the village (three kilometres away) through countryside and into the southern part of the forest. The site owners particularly recommend the walk to a nearby waterfall – with the further attraction of passing by raspberry and blackberry bushes for a spot of foraging in high season. There are also a couple of cycle trails that you can join at the site – they’re best tackled on a mountain bike because of the hilly and rugged terrain (there are a couple of bikes for rent at the farm if you need them). For a gentler way to see the landscape, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Langeac and the tourist train through the Gorges d’Allier. Alternatively, take the family off to the Amethyst House in Vernet-la-Varenne (a 15-minute drive) to learn a bit more about the production of these gorgeous purple gems.