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Roundtrip from Labesserette to the Puy Mary
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Catherine De Groote RouteXpert
Last edit: 22-11-2020
Route Summary
The untouched nature reserve of the Cantal Mountains is one of the five areas that make up the Regional Nature Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes. They are, in fact, the remains of one large stratovolcano, the largest in Europe, which is still visible on the surface. This volcano was formed about 13 million years ago, while the last eruption must have occurred about 2 million years ago. In the last 2 million years, the mountain range has been exposed to erosion from water and - during several ice ages - the ice from glaciers.
The area around the Puy Mary was formed up to 70,000 years ago by volcanic eruptions in which the lava was ejected into the distant surroundings of this volcano. You can still see that in many places in the valleys around the Puy Mary. The Puy Mary is one of the highest mountains in the Cantal Mountains in the Massif Central. The top is located at an altitude of 1783 meters. The summit is accessible from Pas de Peyrol, the highest mountain pass in the Massif Central. The Cantal Mountains are an extraordinary area.
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Verdict
Duration
5h 2m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
235.18 km
Countries
Col de la Grifoul
RouteXpert Review
The route starts in Vaurs, a hamlet of Labesserette, where you can rent a holiday home full of character with unobstructed views.
We leave the Aubrac via small, winding roads with here and there a hairpin bend and gradually climb to the mountains of the Cantal. Forests and open landscape alternate. Here and there you come in or along a small village: a few houses, a church, a few farms ...

The Col de la Grifoul (RP 8) is the fourth highest pass in Cantal with an altitude of 1,336 m. The Col connects the valley of the Epie with the valley of Brezons. It's huge and majestic.
The Col de Prat de Bouc (RP 9) is one of the characteristic places of Cantal. Located at an altitude of 1,392 m, the site is majestic in the shape of a circus. It is located to the east of Plomb du Cantal.
The Buron of the Col de Prat de Bouc welcomes you in an authentic and warm environment. You can taste regional specialties such as truffles, cold cuts from local producers, the pashade and blueberry pie ...
A last pass before you descend to Murat is the Col de la Molède (1329 m) (RP 10). When turning left on the N122, you can have a lunch stop here. In the Le Relais des Trois Rochers (RP 12) you can eat very well.

The castle of Anterroches (RP 13) is a medieval castle and you will see it on your right when you leave Murat. Built in the Middle Ages, it was significantly modified in the nineteenth century in the troubadour style with battlements, turrets and mullions.
You follow the N122 for three kilometers and then turn right to the Pas de Peyrol. In Dienne you can admire the Château de la Cheyrelle (RP 16). It is now a hotel, but it can also be visited. In 2020, there were repairs, which meant that it was temporarily impossible to visit. It is therefore best to consult the website first (link below). Located at an altitude of 1,100 m, the Château de la Cheyrelle is a mansion built in the 19th century on the foundations of an old medieval barn where agricultural activity continued until the 1990s. But it was at the beginning of the 20th century, between 1903 and 1905, that the castle took on its final shape and uniqueness with the transformation works. The castle was decorated both inside and out by the Belgian interior designer Serrurier-Bovy, from 1903 to 1905, to which he applied his aesthetic theories (clarity, rationality, functionalism).

Col d'Eylac (RP 18) is a mountain pass at an altitude of 1,442 m. The road to the top is quite steep (a maximum gradient of 15%).
A few more turns and you are on the Pas de Peyrol (1598 m) (RP 19). The road is known as the highest through road in the Massif Central. The pass crosses a ridge between the Puy Mary (1783 m) and the Puy de la Tourte (1704 m) and connects the valleys of the Mars and the Santoire, two rivers that have cut deep into the flanks of the old stratovolcano of the Cantal (the largest stratovolcano in Europe). A concrete path leaves from the col to the top of the Puy Mary.
Via a beautiful descent and beautiful views you drive to the Col Croix de Cheules (907 m) (RP 24). There is a brasserie of the same name where you can taste their snacks, pancakes, waffles, ice creams or just relax around a tea, a cup of coffee or something else ...

You now continue towards Aurillac along winding roads with a few hairpin bends.
Located in Arpajon-sur-Cère, the Castle of Conros (RP 30), a historical monument, is an elegant medieval building renovated in the Renaissance, which dominates from its rocky point over a meander of the Cère. Inhabited since 1130, it comprises an impressive castle tower, two round towers, one with a cantilevered gallery and a main building. The Castle of Conros is home to the folk museum of art and tradition of the Cère Valley. Housed in the former kitchens, it gives a picture of rural life in the 19th century, as well as a permanent exhibition on perfumes. Under its impressive lauze roof, one of the largest in Cantal, you can admire, among other things, a beautiful vaulted armory, enormous fireplaces, a Renaissance staircase, and a chapel containing a white marble Merovingian sarcophagus, discovered in 1988 in Arpajon-sur-Cère .
In the romantic park around the castle, where you can take a lovely walk, you will find many fragrant plants and remarkable trees: a tulip tree, cedars, and even an ancient beech!
The castle can only be visited with a guide. Guided tours every day from 2 pm to 6 pm, from July 1 to September 10 from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The park is open from Easter to All Saints' Day (10am - 7pm). Entrance fee to the park, reserved for visitors to the castle. Entrance price: 5.30 euros / person.

From here it is about 25 km to enjoy the wide, slightly hilly landscape to the holiday home.

The landscape is very varied: from woodland to extensive views, small villages, mountains and winding rivers. You mainly drive on narrow roads that wind their way through the landscape with here and there hairpin bends. The courses are also in excellent condition. This region is mainly known for its nature and beautiful green mountains. This tour also receives 5 stars.
Col d'Eylac
Puy Mary
Links
Cheyrelles castle
Puy Mary
col d'eylac
Conros Castle
Vacation rental
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