Cycling route n°8 : Perched villages and vineyards

At the crossroads of neighboring regions such as Cézallier, Sancy and Val d’Allier, Lembron is identified by a multitude of villages and landscapes as beautiful as they are varied. The gateway to the mountains from Issoire, this land of plains and plateaus is enchanting in its uniqueness. Haut Lembron is(…)

At the crossroads of neighboring regions such as Cézallier, Sancy and Val d’Allier, Lembron is identified by a multitude of villages and landscapes as beautiful as they are varied. The gateway to the mountains from Issoire, this land of plains and plateaus is enchanting in its uniqueness. Haut Lembron is identified by its agricultural plains dotted with villages, many of which were fortified in the late Middle Ages. Historically, this territory belonged to the Dauphins d’Auvergne, a powerful lineage dominating several territories in the Lower Auvergne. Their capital was Vodable, a volcanic mound on which they erected a powerful castle, now destroyed.

The route begins with a continuous slope up to Vodable, offering fine panoramic views over the Lembron. After Vodable, the route descends to the plain and several pretty villages follow. The southern part of the route features numerous castles or remains of castles, some of which can be visited, such as Villeneuve-Lembron and Le Broc. The return to Issoire is via a departmental road overlooking the Val d’Allier and offering the last panoramic views of the Livradois mountains.