Châteaux de la Haute Vallée de la Loire
Book
TRADITIONAL RESERVATION:
-Contact us by phone or e-mail to make an option.
-Confirm this option, by paying a deposit of 30% of the total amount of your stay, by sending the reservation voucher and, where applicable, payment of the Cancellation Insurance (check, holiday voucher, transfer, number secure remote bank card).
- Upon receipt, we send you an acknowledgment of receipt and confirmation of stay.
ONLINE BOOKING :
-On the web page of the stay, the booking table allows you to directly consult our availabilities and the price per date. Once the date has been chosen, you can therefore book online.
– Then directly confirm your reservation online with your Blue Card and our secure payment system or choose, during your online reservation, payment by check or holiday voucher or by transfer.
– If necessary, check the options and cancellation insurance during the online reservation.
– Upon receipt of payment of the 30% deposit paid online or by check (or holiday check or transfer), you will receive confirmation of your stay by email.
-Contact us by phone or e-mail to make an option.
-Confirm this option, by paying a deposit of 30% of the total amount of your stay, by sending the reservation voucher and, where applicable, payment of the Cancellation Insurance (check, holiday voucher, transfer, number secure remote bank card).
- Upon receipt, we send you an acknowledgment of receipt and confirmation of stay.
ONLINE BOOKING :
-On the web page of the stay, the booking table allows you to directly consult our availabilities and the price per date. Once the date has been chosen, you can therefore book online.
– Then directly confirm your reservation online with your Blue Card and our secure payment system or choose, during your online reservation, payment by check or holiday voucher or by transfer.
– If necessary, check the options and cancellation insurance during the online reservation.
– Upon receipt of payment of the 30% deposit paid online or by check (or holiday check or transfer), you will receive confirmation of your stay by email.
Program
Discover during an easy hike the castles of the Haute-Vallée de la Loire. You will follow pretty paths in a hilly landscape near castles, in ruins or still habitable.
The programme
Day 1: welcome
Reception on the first day at the La Découverte hotel in Les Estables from 16 p.m. After a day on the road or train, relax in our indoor swimming pool. Dinner after the information meeting, buffet style.
Day 2: Arlempdes, the first castle of the Loire
We will start the week with an easy hike on the left bank of the Loire, around Arlempdes. Some superb viewpoints over the Loire will allow you to see the work of erosion of the Loire
through the ancient lava flows of Devès. The builders of the castle did not hesitate to use the numerous volcanic organs! In the afternoon, we will visit the ruins of this ancient fortified residence.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
After the hike, try our sauna and Norwegian shower* (bucket of cold water), before sitting down to eat.
*with supplement.
Day 3: Bouzols Castle
A little before Puy en Velay, the Gorges de la Loire open up. So men have taken advantage of this for a long time to settle on the banks. Many lords then chose the mounds, often volcanic, to build their castles. We will walk near one of them, Bouzols, which we will visit in the afternoon. We will have the opportunity to take a few steps on the Stevenson path and along the Loire.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Arriving in Les Estables, swim in our swimming pool or stroll around the village. It's up to you ! Then dine at the communal table in our restaurant. Before you go to bed, we will offer you a “homemade” slideshow on the Mézenc massif.
Day 4: La Rochelambert Castle
After a lovely hike in the Borne valley, we will discover a pretty castle, long described as a manor house, inhabited since the 11th century by the Vellave family of La Rochelambert. This castle houses a very beautiful collection of objects, such as Romanesque black virgins.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Back at the hotel, why don't you enjoy a bath in the jacuzzi*, before dining at the restaurant?
*with supplement.
Day 5: free day
In the middle of the week, this free day will allow you to rest, discover the surroundings or the city of Puy en Velay.
Your hosts can help you prepare your program, for example:
-a hiking circuit from the hotel to be done on your own (without a guide),
-a cycle circuit to be done with electrically assisted bicycles (VAE), for hire at the Estables tourist office,
-ideas for visits in the surrounding area (farm eco-museum of the Perrel Brothers, museum of popular beliefs, Lauzière du Lac Bleu park, etc.),
-a discovery of the historic town of Puy en Velay with our topo (cathedral, starting point for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, Romanesque chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe built at the top of an old volcanic chimney, etc.).
An individual picnic will be provided.
To end the day, you can arrange a massage at the hotel, thanks to the expert hands of Virginie (additional charge).
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6: The Fortress of Polignac
It is in the surroundings of the town of Puy en Velay that we will spend the day. We will start from Polignac with a hike to Mont Denise, a volcano made up of yellow volcanic breccia. It is this stone which was used to build the Polignac fortress. Initially a public fortress, it quickly became the property of the lords of Polignac, viscounts of Velay. It is still the property of this illustrious French family. What was called “the impregnable fortress” has finally suffered the ravages of time but it remains an exceptional site and a beacon on the Velay plateaus. We will take the time to discover every nook and cranny.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Back at the hotel, you can benefit from a collective relaxation session (at an additional cost).
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Castle of Saint-Vidal
Between gorges and high plateaus, we will walk up the Borne valley, a tributary of the Loire, to reach the village of Saint-Vidal. We will discover one of the most beautiful and best preserved fortresses in Velay and Auvergne. An ambulatory show will tell us the history of Velay, Vivarais and Gévaudan from the Celts to the French Revolution.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Last dinner at the hotel with your hiking companions. To extend the evening together, wouldn't you like to play a game of pétanque on our bowling alley?
Day 8: dispersion
Dispersion on the last day after breakfast.
If you are in no hurry to return home, we can recommend one last activity or visit to extend your stay.
Day 1: welcome
Reception on the first day at the La Découverte hotel in Les Estables from 16 p.m. After a day on the road or train, relax in our indoor swimming pool. Dinner after the information meeting, buffet style.
Day 2: Arlempdes, the first castle of the Loire
We will start the week with an easy hike on the left bank of the Loire, around Arlempdes. Some superb viewpoints over the Loire will allow you to see the work of erosion of the Loire
through the ancient lava flows of Devès. The builders of the castle did not hesitate to use the numerous volcanic organs! In the afternoon, we will visit the ruins of this ancient fortified residence.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
After the hike, try our sauna and Norwegian shower* (bucket of cold water), before sitting down to eat.
*with supplement.
Day 3: Bouzols Castle
A little before Puy en Velay, the Gorges de la Loire open up. So men have taken advantage of this for a long time to settle on the banks. Many lords then chose the mounds, often volcanic, to build their castles. We will walk near one of them, Bouzols, which we will visit in the afternoon. We will have the opportunity to take a few steps on the Stevenson path and along the Loire.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Arriving in Les Estables, swim in our swimming pool or stroll around the village. It's up to you ! Then dine at the communal table in our restaurant. Before you go to bed, we will offer you a “homemade” slideshow on the Mézenc massif.
Day 4: La Rochelambert Castle
After a lovely hike in the Borne valley, we will discover a pretty castle, long described as a manor house, inhabited since the 11th century by the Vellave family of La Rochelambert. This castle houses a very beautiful collection of objects, such as Romanesque black virgins.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Back at the hotel, why don't you enjoy a bath in the jacuzzi*, before dining at the restaurant?
*with supplement.
Day 5: free day
In the middle of the week, this free day will allow you to rest, discover the surroundings or the city of Puy en Velay.
Your hosts can help you prepare your program, for example:
-a hiking circuit from the hotel to be done on your own (without a guide),
-a cycle circuit to be done with electrically assisted bicycles (VAE), for hire at the Estables tourist office,
-ideas for visits in the surrounding area (farm eco-museum of the Perrel Brothers, museum of popular beliefs, Lauzière du Lac Bleu park, etc.),
-a discovery of the historic town of Puy en Velay with our topo (cathedral, starting point for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, Romanesque chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe built at the top of an old volcanic chimney, etc.).
An individual picnic will be provided.
To end the day, you can arrange a massage at the hotel, thanks to the expert hands of Virginie (additional charge).
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6: The Fortress of Polignac
It is in the surroundings of the town of Puy en Velay that we will spend the day. We will start from Polignac with a hike to Mont Denise, a volcano made up of yellow volcanic breccia. It is this stone which was used to build the Polignac fortress. Initially a public fortress, it quickly became the property of the lords of Polignac, viscounts of Velay. It is still the property of this illustrious French family. What was called “the impregnable fortress” has finally suffered the ravages of time but it remains an exceptional site and a beacon on the Velay plateaus. We will take the time to discover every nook and cranny.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Back at the hotel, you can benefit from a collective relaxation session (at an additional cost).
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Castle of Saint-Vidal
Between gorges and high plateaus, we will walk up the Borne valley, a tributary of the Loire, to reach the village of Saint-Vidal. We will discover one of the most beautiful and best preserved fortresses in Velay and Auvergne. An ambulatory show will tell us the history of Velay, Vivarais and Gévaudan from the Celts to the French Revolution.
The picnic is carried in the bag.
Last dinner at the hotel with your hiking companions. To extend the evening together, wouldn't you like to play a game of pétanque on our bowling alley?
Day 8: dispersion
Dispersion on the last day after breakfast.
If you are in no hurry to return home, we can recommend one last activity or visit to extend your stay.
Prices
Means of payment accepted
The “single” supplement (individual room) is obligatory for people
alone, unless single people wish to share their room.
Stay of 2 consecutive weeks (with another type of stay): 5% reduction on the entire 2 weeks.
Not available for online booking, contact us directly.
Children over 12 years old in parents' room: 20% reduction.
Group rates: contact us
Tourist tax: €1.00/adult/day in 2019.
Options:
Well-being package €105, including access to the wellness area (sauna, jacuzzi, Norwegian shower) for the whole week at will, a 45-minute collective relaxation session, a 45-minute rejuvenating massage.
– Fitness package €58, including access to the wellness area (sauna, jacuzzi, Norwegian shower) for the whole week at will.
– Station/hotel transfer by shuttle: €25 per person return
– Cancellation/interruption of stay insurance: 3.9% of the total amount of the stay. Details to see on the website.
alone, unless single people wish to share their room.
Stay of 2 consecutive weeks (with another type of stay): 5% reduction on the entire 2 weeks.
Not available for online booking, contact us directly.
Children over 12 years old in parents' room: 20% reduction.
Group rates: contact us
Tourist tax: €1.00/adult/day in 2019.
Options:
Well-being package €105, including access to the wellness area (sauna, jacuzzi, Norwegian shower) for the whole week at will, a 45-minute collective relaxation session, a 45-minute rejuvenating massage.
– Fitness package €58, including access to the wellness area (sauna, jacuzzi, Norwegian shower) for the whole week at will.
– Station/hotel transfer by shuttle: €25 per person return
– Cancellation/interruption of stay insurance: 3.9% of the total amount of the stay. Details to see on the website.
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