Laval-sur-Doulon can be explored through two distinct highlights: the PR610 Les collines du Doulon hiking trail and the Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption. The trail focuses on valleys, the river and the mill; the church offers a way to discover the village’s architectural history. For your stay, you can choose between a challenging hike and a focus on cultural history—or explore both side by side.
Hiking the PR610
The PR610 Les collines du Doulon starts and ends in Laval-sur-Doulon. At 13.8 kilometres, it is a longer route and is rated difficult; its length and difficulty make it clear that this is a hike in its own right, rather than a short walk. Its panorama takes in the valleys of the Doulon and its tributaries. The landscape views therefore encompass not just one river course, but also the tributary valleys.
The route crosses the Doulon via a stone bridge at the Moulin du Vialard. The panorama and this named crossing offer two different perspectives on the hike: a wide view across several valleys, and a specific point where the trail crosses the river. If you appreciate both sweeping scenery and a distinctive landmark on a hike, you can enjoy these two features together.
The Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Priory Church
The Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption is a priory church that was affiliated with the Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu. Its main construction phase dates to the 14th and 15th centuries. These details reveal two aspects of the church: the construction phase places its main building in time, while its connection to the abbey identifies the building’s institutional context. On the south side is a seigneurial chapel; traces of paintings can be found on its vault and walls. The focus thus shifts from the building as a whole to a specific detail of the church.
By decree of 20 April 1989, the church was protected as a historic monument. This protection date adds a later chapter in the building’s history to its medieval construction phase.
The Doulon and Moulin du Vialard
Along the PR610, the Doulon has wooded banks where trout are fished. This adds another dimension to the river landscape: besides walking through the valleys, fishing is also one of the river’s uses. If you are interested in nature and fishing, this offers a specific point of interest on the Doulon.
At the Moulin du Vialard, the history of work powered by water becomes tangible: it was a mill whose water power was used to grind grain delivered by farmers from the region. Water provided the power for milling, while the grain came from local agriculture. This place therefore brings together a specific former use of water power and regional farming. There is also a shaded picnic spot with a table beneath the Vialard Bridge over the Doulon. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, Roche-En-Régnier, La Chapelle-Geneste, Saint-Pierre-Eynac, Malvières, Saint-Pal-De-Chalencon, Vernassal, La Chapelle-Bertin.
See the regional travel overview: Haute-Loire.
