The Château de La Fayette
Aix-la-Fayette
Dogs allowed
Distance 8Km
Duration 2h00
Hiking route BOUCLE
Marking Blue
In pictures
Route description
This itinerary is dedicated to the château belonging to the family of the famous General Lafayette. From a typical Livradois village of granite houses, you overlook the Cézallier and Sancy mountains. A forest trail leading past a former amethyst mining site.
Trail highlights
– Château de La Fayette.
– View of the Dôme mountains.
– Fountain and cross.
– Château du Fangonnet.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Step 1 : Opposite the church, join the D58, follow it for 100 m, then, after the last houses, turn right onto a grassy track that leads to Chalimbe. Before the first houses, turn left onto a tarmac track and then right onto the D58. Follow it for 20 m, then take the path on the left (view of the Dôme mountains). Cross the road, then a crossroads and turn right (Château de La Fayette on the right : 250 m A-R). Continue straight ahead through the woods for 1 km.
Step 2 : Join the D58, cross it and continue to Ladoux. Go through this hamlet and, at the top of the village, near a well and a fountain, take a gravel path which climbs up to the right. At a crossroads, turn right onto a tarmac road. At the Fangonnet cross, turn right (Château de Fangonnet opposite : 500 m A-R). Then take a dirt track that leads off to the right into the undergrowth (view of the Dôme mountains).
Step 3 : When you reach the village of La Bessière, turn right onto a tarmac track, passing a fountain. Leave the village, then, at a bend in the road, continue straight ahead on a downhill track. After the mill ruins, turn left onto a track. Reach La Fayolle, cross this hamlet. Before the last house, take the track on the right. Pass between a fountain and a wait. Join the D58, and turn right as far as Aix-la-Fayette.
Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme – PDIPR.
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Opening hours
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Comfort, facilities and services
- Pets welcome
Additional information
For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.
Dogs allowed Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.
Environment
In the country, Forest location, Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Access
From the village of Saint-Germain-l’Herm, take the D99 towards Le Vernet-la-Varenne. On leaving Saint-Germain-l’Herm, turn right onto the D58 towards Aix-la-Fayette.
Downloadable :
Photo credits :
Updated on 2 July 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme