THE GORGES OF THE RIVER LOIRE FROM AUREC SUR LOIRE TO LE PUY EN VELAY This is a walking holiday following part of the river Loire (said to be ‘the last unspoiled river of Europe’). It takes you along forested tracks through deep rocky gorges. The views are remarkable, with chateaus and villages which nestle down close to the river. In this valley the young river Loire asserts its natural rights: only a narrow railway line trespasses on its preserves and follows the water like a shadow. The gorges are of interest to naturalists, harbouring a large number of bird species which have found security along its steep banks. The walking is not too arduous and there are plenty of opportunities to pause on small pebbly beaches tucked away in a lacework of greenery, a perfect setting for an interlude of relaxation, soothed by the musical waters of the Loire. PROGRAMME FL081 6 days, 5 nights and 4 days’ walking. DAY 1: Arrive at Aurec sur Loire and settle into the hotel. We suggest you try to arrive fairly early, to give yourselves time to explore the old quarter of this little town, where the wild part of the river Loire begins. DAY 2: From Aurec sur Loire to Bas en Basset: 18 km. This first day’s walk along the Loire takes you through lush countryside. You pass through a number of little villages and not far from the Château de Rochebaron which dates from the 12th century and overlooks the valley. Estimated walking time 4h30. DAY 3: From Bas en Basset to Retournac: 25 km. The first part of the day’s walk takes you on a traverse well above the river itself. On this first section of the walk you have some wonderful views over the valley. Later, following the river again, you reach Retournac. Estimated walking time between 6h30 and 7h. DAY 4: From Retounac to Vorey sur Arzon: 22 km. Some particularly picturesque villages, such as Chamalières which sits next to the river, are included in this day’s walk. You have a splendid view of the 12th century Château d’Artias. Then you pass through Roche en Régnier before getting back into the valley of the Loire and reaching Vorez sur Arzon. Estimated walking time 6h15. DAY 5: From Vorey sur Arzon to Le Puy en Velay: 27Km This is a particularly beautiful section of the walk which passes through a number of small villages. You pass within two kilometres of the Château de Lavoute Polignac. If you think this day’s walk might be too long for you, you can shorten it by taking the train from Vorey to Lavoute and start walking at Lavoute. After passing through some more small villages you arrive at Le Puy en Velay. LA PELERINE Randonnées et Voyages à pied 32 Place Limozin 43170 SAUGUES Tèl : +33 (0)4 71 74 47 40 \ [email protected] \ www.lapelerine.com DAY 6: Holiday ends after breakfast. DATES From Easter to the end of September, at dates which suit you and depending on the availability of accommodation Avoid high summer. Please indicate on the booking form any alternative dates which might suit you (for example if you would be able to book the holiday for a period of time shortly before or after your preferred date). This may be useful if one or more hotels are already booked on the preferred date. For similar reasons we ask you to make your reservation as soon as possible. We do not keep places reserved in the hotels and some of them can fill up with bookings several months in advance. THE PRICE INCLUDES - Half board - Provision of a guidebook (l guidebook for 1-2 people) - Transportation of luggage - Accommodation tax. THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE - Midday picnic/packed lunches - Transport between your home and the holiday area - Insurance - Drinks and personal expenses - Transport between your home and the starting point of the holiday; transport between the finishing point of the holiday and your home - Transport to get back to collect your car - Any taxis taken in order to shorten parts of the walk ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF THE HOLIDAY Reception is at your first place of accommodation on the day before your first day’s walking. If you come by car, you may be able to leave your vehicle in the car park at the Hôtel d'Aurec. Your holiday ends at the end of the afternoon, following your last day’s walking. LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY You should be in good physical condition. ACCOMMODATION Hotels ** and bed and breakfast. ATTENTION: If it should happen that a hotel or bed and breakfast where you were to have stayed is full, we will have to organise transport and arrange for you to spend 2 nights at the same accommodation. This will have no effect on the route of your walk. If this should be the case, you will be informed when your holiday booking is confirmed. You may be asked to pay a supplement. LA PELERINE Randonnées et Voyages à pied 32 Place Limozin 43170 SAUGUES Tèl : +33 (0)4 71 74 47 40 \ [email protected] \ www.lapelerine.com FOOD Breakfasts are traditional (often taking the form of a buffet) and are served around 8H. Dinners are usually served after 19 H 30. Normally they consist of the menu du jour (in other words there is no choice of menu in most of the establishments). MIDDAY MEALS Packed lunches are not included in our prices. Where there are no shops you can ask your hotel or bed and breakfast to prepare you a packed lunch. This should be done the evening before. TRANSPORT OF BAGGAGE Your bags will be transported for you between each stage by the hotel keeper at the end of the morning or during the course of the afternoon. We ask you to leave your bags in the entrance of each establishment in the morning before you set out walking. Each person should have only one bag and the weight of this bag should not exceed 14 kg. We suggest you have a small rucksack in which to carry the things you will need during your day’s walking. If you are part of a group, please clearly show on your luggage labels the NAME of your group leader (i.e. the person who has booked the walking holiday). TRAVEL TO AND FROM YOUR HOLIDAY DESTINATION TRAIN: Service from St Etienne – Le Puy en Velay Railway station where you need to get off: Gare SNCF at Aurec (on the line between Le Puy/St Etienne), TGV ST Etienne/Paris Airports (Aéroports): Lyon Saint-Exupéry at 1h15m by car; Saint-Etienne Bouthéon at 45m by car. Flights from the UK: There are flights from the UK to Lyon, and also to St Etienne (which is nearer but perhaps not as cheap). Information is available on www.skyscanner.net/ and similar sites. Website for train information www.sncf.com Or www.ter-sncf.com Contact TER: 0891 67 00 68 Stations involved: Arrive at the beginning of the holiday: Gare de Aurec sur Loire Leave at the end of the holiday: Le Puy en Velay CAR: Carte Michelin (Michelin map) N°76 pli (fold) N° 7. Paris is 500 km away, Lyon 64 km, St Etienne 20 km and Le Puy en Velay is 60km. If you are coming from Lyon, follow the A 47 to St-Etienne, then take the N88 which is signposted to Le Puy en Velay. Leave this at the exit for Firminy Centre; then follow signs leading to Les Gorges de la Loire, Unieux, Le Pertuis and then Aurec. You can park at either end of this walking route. There is parking at the Hôtel d’Aurec sur Loire or at the Parking du Breuil in Le Puy en Velay. (You can leave your car at Le Puy en Velay in the underground car park in the Place du Breuil (open every day except for Sundays and public holidays, from 6 H 30 up to 21H). The parking is secure and costs around 18 € for the week. If you. If you want to get your car out on a Sunday it is possible to do so by asking the attendants at the main check-out (‘la caisse principale’) for a magnetic card which you will be able to use. (Telephone number for the car park [le parking]): 04 71 02 03 54). LA PELERINE Randonnées et Voyages à pied 32 Place Limozin 43170 SAUGUES Tèl : +33 (0)4 71 74 47 40 \ [email protected] \ www.lapelerine.com INFORMATION PACK To help you plan and carry out the walks in this holiday we will send you, on receipt of payment, an information pack. This will contain a list of your places of accommodation and the guidebook N° 348 of the FFRP – the French equivalent of the British Ramblers’ Association. (1 guidebook for 1 to 2 people). Type of map: IGN 1/25000 5 0419 ET and 0518 OT. (These maps, published by the French equivalent of the British Ordnance Survey, are to a scale of roughly 2½ miles to an inch.) THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU - a small rucksack for packed lunches and anything else you will take with you on your day’s walk - a small first aid kit , including elastoplasts (sticking plasters), ‘new skin’, disinfectant/antiseptic for treating blisters or small wounds etc - also sun-cream, aspirin/paracetamol, anti-blister plasters… - A pair of strong, comfortable walking shoes suitable for hilly country and stony tracks Beware of bringing new footwear which has not been tested for comfort! - woollen/fleece hat for use in colder weather - light gloves - rainwear (cape, windproof and gaiters) - fleece or pullover for colder weather - light footwear for the evenings - water bottle or thermos: it is very important to drink 1.5 to 2L of water per day - a knife - torch (not compulsory) - paper handkerchiefs - swimming costume/trunks - Needle, thread and a couple of safety pins.