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 The
Haut-Allier (High Allier), the land of many tales -
Between the volcanic plateau of Devès and the vast
massif of the Margeride, the region of Haut-Allier
spreads over a soil of contrasted landscapes, where
water and volcanoes have shaped an imposing background.
In a fine mixture of humanity and nature, this highland,
which dominates the province of Gévaudan is the land
of thrilling stories : like the story of the Gévaudan,
when more than 230 years ago, the Beast of Gévaudan
terrorized the region or, 180 years later, in the Mont
Mouchet, the story of the struggle between the Résistance
and the combined forces of the nazis and the followers
of Pétain. Lots of other stories will resonate in your
ears, like
the story of the mastodons of the palaeontological
site of Chilhac as well as the story of the King of
Fishes (Roi des Poissons), i.e. the salmon which is
also the King of the land. You will fathom all the
secrets of Salmon Farming in Chanteuges.
Memorial places - In the heart of this land
of art and History, Lavoûte-Chilhac, the treasure of the Val d'Allier is
an astonishing town. As you arrive, you have the chance to
discover the 18th
century building of the former Benedictine priory,  inherited
from one of the major monasteries founded by Odiilon de Mercoeur.
The abbey, which now shelters the National Centre of Landscape
(Centre National du
Paysage), is aimed at reviving the cultural periods of its
past. The abbey is worth a visit because of its Sainte-Croix
Church, which is characterized
by a fortified apse and beautiful wooden door. A recent recollection
of the blood and tears shed by almost 6000 members of the Resistance
movement is the Mont Mouchet and its magnificent Resistance Museum.
Located in the
heart of a majestic site, the museum is a place of contemplation
and is aimed at rediscovering the dramatic period of occupied
France.
The hiker's homeland -
If beauty-seeking hikers had a homeland, it would surely
be this land of magnificent gorges lined with picturesque
villages and basaltic colonnades. Many possible visits
will lead you to discover the signs of volcanic activities,
especially close to the spectacular "organ pipes" of Chilhac,
one of the most beautiful formation of its kind in Auvergne.
You will also have the possibility to discover the wild
site of Notre-Dame-d'Estours, close to Saugues, where men
have built a chapel above the gorges of the Seuge. The
walk of the windmills of the plateau of Ally, which will
tell you the great epic of these 600 mills of the last
century scattered along the Allier river, is just as unusual.
Water activities on the Allier river - The best
way to discover the wild gorges of the Allier river is to
be by the riverbed and to follow the flow of its tumultuous
waters by canoeing, rafting and
canyoning. From Chilhac, Lavoûte Chilhac  and
Chanteuges, you will have the possibility to set of in search
of adventure, unless you prefer safer pleasures like swimming
or fishing. Anyway, the
choice is yours.
The market of Saugues - Here you are on a breeding
land. The big livestock markets of Saugues currently rank
fourth national ovine market. In the past, the markets of
Saugues were famous for their
pure-bred Aubrac and crossbreed calves. The markets of Saugues
now gather the cream of the meat of the Velay. For example,
the calves of the mounts
of the Velay-Forez', fed only on full cream milk are high quality products
and vegetarians will regret not having a taste of it.
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