La Pauze : Family Cottage by Allier Riverside

Welcome to La Pauze! Family cottage at the foot of the Saint-Ilpize castle and 100m from the Villeneuve d'Allier beach. Ideal for swimming, hiking, canoeing, climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, and fishing. Discover Romanesque churches, castles, and local festivals. Spacious accommodation with relaxation areas, bike storage, and a private terrace with a plancha. Close to nature, perfect for rejuvenation. Enjoy the tranquility and various activities of the Allier valley.

This is a vineyard house located in the heart of a small village in the Allier valley, once renowned for wild salmon fishing and its Ribeyre vineyards. The house is named after an old vineyard owned by my grandparents. The building, slightly set back from the Church Street, offers a view of the Saint-Ilpize castle and the Allier river, which flows 100 meters away.

Dating from the 19th century, the house has been carefully renovated to preserve its authenticity while providing modern comfort. Spacious and bright, it allows friends or two families to stay without disturbing each other. It is fully equipped for cooking and entertaining. The terrace, accessible from the kitchen and living room, offers a stunning view of the mountains and complete privacy without any overlooking.

The Gorges de l’Allier mark the eastern boundary of the Margeride and form the upper, narrow part of the Allier valley, stretching 80 km from Vieille-Brioude to Langogne in Lozère. This wild valley landscape centers around the Allier River, with numerous picturesque stone villages clinging to the mountainsides. Situated between 500 and 1000 meters in altitude, the region enjoys a Mediterranean climate and offers a multitude of outdoor activities such as white-water sports, hiking, and cycling.

The area also boasts a rich Romanesque heritage, evident in its chapels, churches, abbeys, castles, and other medieval monuments. Close to Gévaudan, Margeride, and Cantal, it is surrounded by important towns such as Brioude, La Chaise-Dieu, Langeac, Lavoûte-Chilhac, Prades, Alleyras, and Langogne. Le Puy-en-Velay is also nearby, providing even more opportunities for cultural and historical exploration.

To the southwest, crossed by the A75, lies the Margeride massif with Mont Mouchet as its highest point, ranging from 900 to 1500 meters in altitude. This area straddles Lozère to the south, Cantal to the west, and Haute-Loire to the east. It features mid-mountain landscapes composed of woods and pastures, with rugged terrain, deep valleys (Allier, Truyère, Bès, etc.), numerous rivers, and large forests. It is an ideal zone for fresh air, hiking, cycling, mushroom picking, and fishing. It is also close to the Grandval Dam, the Sancy Massif, and Aubrac, all offering stunning landscapes. Important towns in this area include St Flour, Ruynes en Margeride, St Alban, Saugues, Le Malzieux, and St Chely d’Apcher.

At the southeastern end of the department, near Ardèche, lies the Mézenc, Mont Gerbier de Jonc with the sources of the Loire and Allier rivers. Located 60 km from the highway, this is another wild area of the department near Le Puy. It is a high plateau with remarkable landscapes, a harsh winter climate with the burle wind and heavy snow.

Élodie from La Conciergerie de la Haute-Loire will be there to welcome you upon your arrival and at your departure. She will be reachable throughout your stay to answer any questions or concerns you may have.