Summer activities for all the family in Livradois-Forez

Summer holidays are just a click away. In Livradois-Forez, you can imagine them in complete freedom. A real art of living. With activities for children, entertainment for all the family and plenty to keep you entertained, you can choose a holiday in the Auvergne that’s just right for you. Creative workshops, an evening concert, a gourmet market break, petting animals on a Livradois-Forez farm, a guided walk to discover the secrets of nature… Although the choice is varied, it’s up to you to find the “summer mountain activity” that suits you. The owners of the spacious gîtes are also on hand to open their doors and windows to you for a relaxing stay in the fresh air. Freedom for your family. Livradois-Forez is a great place to live.

Festivals set the pace for your holidays for family entertainment

In Livradois-Forez, there are plenty of festive events to keep you entertained throughout your holiday. Dancing and concerts are always part of the fun, and family holidays can be spent to the sound of music.

From Thiers :

Les Concerts de Vollore is a major international event for music lovers.
La Pamparina is a free dance festival in the medieval town of Thiers.
The Festival Les Rencontres Arioso gives you the chance to spend an exotic evening with quartets and symphonies with your older children.

Ambert:

The Monpteloux Festival kicks off the festivities in a volcanic setting for a sparkling, out-of-this-world show.
For a weekend of festivities, the World Festival Ambert is the place to be.
The Fourmofolies is a different kind of festival, aimed at people of all ages. Animal encounters, tastings, farm produce sales…

Billom:

In Billom,garlic is celebrated at a convivial fair in the town centre. It’s a weekend of authentic Auvergne taste and know-how.

Out of doors:

At the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu, classical, jazz and offbeat concerts and events are held in the abbey church of Saint-Robert and around La Chaise-Dieu (and sometimes even outdoors).

A day on a farm in Livradois-Forez for children's enjoyment

A great activity for the whole family to enjoy during the holidays: a visit to a farm in Livradois-Forez. It’s a great way for children to discover and understand how farmers and breeders work. It’s also a great opportunity to meet the animals that children love so much. And to touch them. All these moments are full of lessons and tenderness.

The world of Livradois-Forez farms offers a wealth of opportunities for fun and enjoyment. For an hour or two, in the company of thedonkey Capucine, on the horse-drawn carriages of Le Pré fleuri, on the horses of Montcodiol, or a Balad’Alpagas at the Ferme du Champ Rouge. To round off the visit when it’s time for a snack, there are tastings on offer: dairy products from Les Supeyres, delicacies from Le Garnasson… This is also the art of living in Livradois-Forez.

GOOD PLAN

A picnic from the bag, a barbecue with friends or a candlelit meal… To prepare your holiday meals and eat locally (and healthily, at last!), find the addresses of producers and market days on our website.

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Workshops to do what grown-ups do of Livradois-Forez

Often presented as a land of paper-makers and cutlers, the Livradois-Forez region has a tradition of many other skills. These include printmaking, pottery, stained glass, lacemaking, bookbinding and woodturning. Would you like to slip into the shoes of a cutler, paper-maker or lace-maker for a workshop? Whether at a craftsman’s workshop or a museum, we invite you to try your hand at the skills passed down from year to year.

So, if you’re looking for ideas for your resourceful children, here are a few workshops: pottery and painting, collage and pencilling… Creative activities for all the family: there’s something for all budding artists and craftspeople!

30° in the shade : it's time to take the plunge

Split the cool waters with a vigorous breaststroke or let yourself float under a blue sky. Or try your hand at paddle-boarding or becoming a pedalo captain. Summer in Livradois-Forez isn’t all about hiking and mountain biking. After a workshop with a craftsman, what could be better than taking a dip in cool water? The Livradois-Forez is home to a number of top-quality lakes and ponds.

There are plenty of places to escape the heat of the sun in a natural setting. For example, Iloa in Thiers, Aubusson d’Auvergne, les Prades in Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle… The three ” Pavillon Bleu ” awards reflect the art of living in Livradois-Forez, in an unspoilt natural setting. So come and take a dip in the water at one of these bathing sites, surrounded by greenery.

Iloa Beach — ©Iloa beach in Thiers|David Frobert

Swimming info

Summer family activities : Nature and Heritage walks

Every summer, the Maison du tourisme du Livradois-Forez publishes a little booklet full of treasures: the summer guide to nature and heritage walks. It features around 200 dates across the Livradois-Forez. A great activity for all the family to get to know this pretty corner of Auvergne.

With the help of a guide, you can discover the village of Châteldon, or the natural riches of the glacial valley of Le Fossat. Or learn all about otters on the shores of Aubusson d’Auvergne lake (and your little otters will thank you).