There are different ways to explore Cayres during your stay: historic churches, a mountain biking loop and the volcanic Lac du Bouchet. By choosing activities according to your interests, you can plan cultural visits, cycling and a walk around the lake as separate highlights rather than combining them into a fixed day’s itinerary.
Churches and architectural history
The Église Saint-Pierre in Cayres has a volcanic rock façade. The entire church is listed as a historic monument; it was listed on 7 October 1935. Visitors who would like to learn more about the building can take a guided tour with a qualified guide from the Pays d’art et d’histoire du Haut-Allier. Please check availability in advance by calling 04 71 77 28 30.
The architecture is the main attraction at the Chapelle de Chacornac: the building dates from the mid-15th century and consists of a single-nave space with two bays. One has a barrel vault, while the other has a rib vault. The two types of vault distinguish different parts of the building; human faces decorate the exterior of the chapel. The chapel, including its enclosure, is entirely listed as a historic monument. It was listed on 31 December 1985.
Mountain biking and other routes
The Tour du Devès is a 40.5-kilometre mountain biking loop. The stated figures for the route are a duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes, 765 metres of ascent and a moderate difficulty level. These details help you assess the time and physical effort involved. As route details can change when the trail is updated, check the current route before setting out.
A via ferrata has been installed by the Communauté de Communes du Pays de Cayres Pradelles on the rocks of Miramande along the Tour du Devès. The status of an installation can change, so check whether the via ferrata is currently open before visiting.
Route 21, “Aux confins du Devès”, starts in Cayres and invites you to discover small, charming villages. Its focus differs from that of the mountain biking loop: the loop has a specified length, elevation gain and duration, while Route 21 emphasises village discovery. It offers another way to plan your stay, without specifying a particular circular route or walking or cycling time.
Lac du Bouchet: a maar lake and walking trail
Lac du Bouchet is a volcanic maar lake. It formed when lava and water met underground, creating a large crater in which the lake now lies. This geological history gives the landscape a different focus from the churches and routes: here, the emphasis is on how the lake basin was formed.
The lake can be reached via the D312 between Cayres and Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas; there is a car park near the lake. A 3-kilometre circular trail goes around Lac du Bouchet and is considered accessible to the whole family. The trail and the mountain biking route differ considerably in length and activity: the walk is 3 kilometres, while the Tour du Devès is 40.5 kilometres, with a stated duration and elevation gain. This makes it easy to compare two very different outing options using their specific details.
Plan your accommodation and outings
If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Cayres, you can plan your days around the actual starting points and access routes: Route 21 starts in Cayres, and Lac du Bouchet can be reached via the D312 between Cayres and Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas. The Tour du Devès offers another clearly measured option for a mountain biking loop.
Discover more destinations: Beauzac, Lempdes Sur Allagnon, Saint-Arcons-De-Barges, Freycenet-La-Cuche, Vieille-Brioude, Monistrol-D'allier, Polignac, Saint-Didier-En-Velay.
Return to the main travel overview: Haute-Loire.
