On the Plateau de la Verrerie, numerous marked trails wind through a preserved peatland landscape. The Musée du Verrier tells the story of the glassmaking families who settled here and the forest glassworks they founded—two distinct sides of Saint-Nicolas-Des-Biefs.
Peatland landscapes and views
The Tourbière de la Verrerie covers 55.67 hectares and lies at an elevation of between 994 and 1,028 metres. It includes a raised bog with protected flora, including round-leaved sundew. Trails cross the peatland landscape on the Plateau de la Verrerie. From there, visitors can enjoy views of the Côte Roannaise and, on clear days, the Mont-Blanc range and the Chaîne des Puys.
Hiking and mountain biking
There are six starting points for hiking at the Camping des Myrtilles and four at the cross-country ski centre. One route with a specified distance and duration is the PR11 “La Pierre Châtel”: it starts at the village church, is 4.5 kilometres long and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. A mountain bike centre bearing the FFCT label also starts at the Camping des Myrtilles. Its routes are 13, 16, 25 and 40 kilometres long. The PR11 hiking route specifies both distance and duration; the mountain biking options can be distinguished by their different route lengths.
Another activity on offer is Cani-rando: a hike with a dog on a leash, for adults and children. Availability may vary depending on the season and provider, so check in advance to see what is offered. The Foyer de ski de la Verrerie rents out cross-country skis, snowshoes, Ski-Hok equipment and sledges. It opens depending on the weather and snow conditions, so it is worth checking conditions before your visit.
Hêtres tortueux and Pierre Châtel
The Pierre Châtel climbing area is located in the Espace Naturel Sensible des Hêtres tortueux. It has 134 routes across 14 sectors and four rock formations, with views over the Galant and Sapey valleys. The Hêtres tortueux area is also known for its beech trees: many, some standing in rows, are around 400 years old and grow in twisted shapes. These forms result from the traditional hedgerow management technique known as plessage.
Glassmaking heritage and the village church
The Musée du Verrier tells the story of the “Gentilshommes Verriers” glassmaking families who settled here in 1660. The families founded a forest glassworks, whose furnaces operated until 1780. The museum’s archaeological section features a scale reconstruction of a historic glass furnace complex. The glass gallery displays unusual objects from numerous glassworks in France and abroad.
The village church of Saint-Nicolas-Des-Biefs also has its own artistic features: it has brightly coloured stained-glass windows and wooden statues.
Village festival and summer concerts
Finot, a traditional clog-makers’ dish, is part of the annual village festival. Its main ingredients are potatoes and bacon. Visitors can join in the preparation in the morning and peel potatoes. The date of the festival may vary; check it before your trip.
In 2003, Saint-Nicolas-Des-Biefs was the starting point for the Festival de musique des Monts de la Madeleine. Concerts are held there every summer; the programme may vary from year to year. If you are planning to attend a concert, check the current dates and programme.
Discover more destinations: Saulcet, Vallon-En-Sully, Châtel-Montagne, Gannat, Domérat, Chavenon, Sainte-Thérence, Vichy
For the regional travel overview: Allier.
