In Lanobre, castle history, reservoir scenery and seasonal water activities come together. Château de Val, a viewpoint, the 12th-century church and a permanent exhibition on the construction of the EDF dam give the town a range of distinct points of interest.
Reservoir scenery and viewpoints
Lanobre borders part of the Bort-les-Orgues Reservoir, which is described as the region’s largest hydroelectric reservoir. Château de Val stands on a rock more than 30 metres high and is now situated on a small peninsula on the lakeshore. Its location connects the building directly with the shoreline landscape, while its history offers a distinct focus for a visit.
The Site du Fraysse is a viewpoint in Lanobre that is freely accessible all year round. It offers panoramic views, as well as an orientation table and a picnic table. Puy du Fraysse is one of the volcanic remnants of Sumène-Artense. The viewpoint and the geological context offer different points of interest if you are interested in the landscape.
Château de Val: visits and history
Château de Val is located in Lanobre, in Cantal, and is considered one of the best-preserved and most remarkable historic monuments. The courtyard of honour, the chapel and the exhibition room are included in an exterior visit. Château de Val is not accessible to wheelchair users or visitors with strollers. Inside, self-guided and guided visits are available; their times may vary seasonally.
Lanobre’s church also offers a connection to the past: dedicated to Saint James the Greater, it was built in the 12th century. The Chapelle Saint-Blaise houses a permanent exhibition about the construction of the EDF dam. Alongside the Château, these provide two further specific subjects to explore: the church’s history and the making of the dam.
In July and August, the Festives’Val, also known as “Les mercredis du Château,” feature various concerts, apéro concerts and performances in the courtyard of honour at Château de Val. Individual dates may change. If you would like to plan your stay around an event, check the dates in advance; the seasonal months alone do not indicate a specific event date.
Water activities and treetop courses
Lanobre offers a range of outdoor activities. Val Aventure has treetop courses in a three-hectare forest above Château de Val and the Bort-les-Orgues Reservoir. Four newly built courses are listed, suitable for families with children aged four and over. Opening times may vary by season, and course configurations may change.
At Plage de Val in Lanobre, Parc Aqualoisirs Auvergne offers water games, an inflatable water park, canoe and pedal boat rentals, stand-up paddleboards, and motorboats with or without a licence. The water games are subject to specific timing and weather conditions: they are open in July and August when the weather is suitable. A lifeguard supervises Plage de Val during the summer season in July and August. There is also a canoe, kayak and rowing centre there.
Plan your stay around your interests
The options vary by season and theme: the Site du Fraysse viewpoint is freely accessible all year round, while the water games are limited to July and August and are weather-dependent. Château visits may have different seasonal schedules, and the dates of the Festives’Val events also matter. If you plan your stay around water activities or a concert, check the relevant dates before travelling.
This lets you choose a destination based on the activities that genuinely interest you, without assuming that all the offerings are available in the same season.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Marcenat, Dienne, Senézergues, Salers, Bassignac, Champs-Sur-Tarentaine-Marchal, Pailherols, Apchon.
Go to the main travel overview: Cantal.
