Activities
 We are located  in the middle of the Livradois natural regional park which is one of the most beautiful undeveloped areas of France.  The park  provides miles of unspoilt countryside for you to explore in all seasons. There are miles of footpaths in the mountains, forests or through local villages.  These paths can be explored on foot, by bike or in the winter on skis or snow shoes (snow permitting).  We can advise you of routes and lend you maps and guide books or more information can be obtained from the www.livradois-parc.com site.
There are numerous interesting tours to be made by car or by motorbike around the beautiful traffic free country lanes and mountain roads. The area is full of many fascinating  towns and villages with interesting architecture  and plenty of history to enjoy, such as the circular town hall in the town of Ambert which also hosts a wonderful market throughout its narrow streets every Thursday
providing plenty of opportunity to purchase regional specialities from local producers or to buy a souvenir from local artisans.
Every season provides new opportunities to enjoy, the autumn brings a colour palette which is unsurpassed with a huge array of mushrooms, nuts and fruits to be gathered, cooked and served to you in our table d’hote or if you are staying in our gite for you to gather and cook or take home after your relaxing break.  The spring and summer produce copious delicate wild flowers sprinkling the countryside with beautiful colours, enjoy walks in the welcome shade of the many forests or go to the top of the mountains for the spectacular views of the chain of volcanoes and the massif central whilst benefiting from the cooling mountain breezes.. 
There is nothing nicer than setting off on a walk with a picnic in a backpack and stopping for lunch beside a quiet stream enjoying a paddle before continuing the walk. 
The area is crisscrossed with rivers, streams and small lakes, fishing and lake swimming nearby. 
Winter can provide spectacular snowscapes against clear blue skies, with fir trees encased in an icy web. Walking and cross country skiing is possible throughout the area, there are also possibilities nearby for dog-sledding and 2 small down hill ski stations. Slightly further away, there are 2 larger downhill ski resorts which are much cheaper than the better known resorts of the Alps. 
For the braver amongst you it is possible to hang glide with a take off site nearby, there are also possibilities for climbing nearby.
There are many and varied museums throughout the area along with chateau every few kilometres for you to enjoy.  A zoo is situated approximately 35 km away.
To visit the Volcano national park makes a very exciting full day trip with several volcanoe themed visitor attractions which provide a varied educational and fun experience. 
 To the south, Puy en Velay is well worth another daytrip, with its tiny cobbled streets and steep climb to the medieval  cathedral, cloisters and statues precariously perched on its high peaks. For the less fit there is a small train which carries you around some of the sights.
Hardly a day goes by in the high summer without a fete being held in one of the nearby villages all worth a visit to experience local culture and colour.
If all this sounds too exhausting why not just sit in the sun/shade in our pretty  gardens or enjoy a dip in our pool which will be ready for next summer.
For more information see the links.

LINKS

The following links provide useful further information on the area around  Le Sapin Bleu.

www.paysdolliergues.com
www.parc-livradois-forez.org
www.tourisme.pays-courpiere.fr
www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourim/ambert.htm
www.vulcania.com
www.planetpuydedome.com

Estate agent who we can recommend.
www.french-property.com/juristimmo

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