Suc de Mercœur is the hiking highlight in Malrevers: the PR665 leads to its summit. Other discoveries include Église Saint-Julien-de-Brioude, La Croix de Cleyssac, the “Gorges de la Loire” landscape area and a farm offering tastings. This brings together hiking, sacred art and locally produced food as distinct experiences. Different conditions apply when planning your visit: check route details locally before setting out; visits to the farm and laboratory are limited to school holidays and are only possible with advance booking.
Hiking to Suc de Mercœur
The PR665 hiking trail, “Du haut du suc de Mercœur,” is designated as a walking route. It follows the “Les Jardins de Mercœur” interpretation trail and leads to the summit. The route starts and ends in Mercœur (Malrevers). Its starting point is the square at the foot of Suc de Mercœur, near the old bread oven. These location details provide a clear setting for the hike; nevertheless, check the route details locally before setting out.
Suc de Mercœur reaches 797 metres and offers a panorama of the Meygal volcanoes. Geologically, it is a volcanic summit in the form of a steep-sided volcanic plug or dome. Its height, shape and views describe different aspects of the same destination: the elevation gives a sense of the summit, while its geological form explains what you see when looking at the Suc. If you want to explore the landscape on foot, you can combine these features with the PR665 route.
The “Gorges de la Loire” landscape area is also part of the municipality’s natural setting. According to the municipal planning status as of 16 January 2014, 378.7 hectares of the Natura 2000 site lie within Malrevers, around 27 percent of the municipality’s area. The site comprises a diverse mosaic of habitats that support exceptional birdlife.
Church and Stone Cross
Église Saint-Julien-de-Brioude in Malrevers is a 19th-century church in the Neoclassical style. It takes its name from a gilded wooden statue depicting Saint-Julien-de-Brioude. Inside the church are painted decorations featuring elements of the Passion of Christ; lilies can be seen in the choir. The period and style provide an initial point of reference, while the statue, Passion motifs and lilies highlight specific details of the church.
Another historic feature is La Croix de Cleyssac, a 15th-century cross in the hamlet of Cleyssac, on the road between Malrevers and Rosières. It was carved from a single block of sandstone. Christ is depicted on one side, and a Madonna and Child wearing a tunic on the other. The material and the two sides offer distinct ways to appreciate the work: as a piece carved from a single block of stone and through the contrast between its two depictions.
Farm Visits and Tastings
At L’Écureuil glacier in Malrevers, ice cream, yoghurt and dairy products are made on site. During school holidays, visits to the farm and laboratory are possible with advance booking. Tastings are available year-round in the farm shop; it is best to confirm availability before your visit. The area with the young calves is also freely accessible. The offerings therefore vary by timing and occasion: a visit to the farm and laboratory requires a reservation during school holidays, while tastings are available year-round.
Whether you focus on the hike, the historic artworks or the farm will shape your stay in Malrevers. The PR665 links Mercœur with the summit of Suc de Mercœur; the church and cross each offer their own motifs and materials, while L’Écureuil glacier offers visits and tastings. Check route details locally before hiking, and arrange a farm visit in advance. This lets you choose among the different offerings according to your interests without turning them into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Connangles, La Chapelle-Bertin, Chanteuges, Saint-Paulien, Saint-Hostien, Saint-Vincent, Saint-Front, Saint-Romain-Lachalm
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Loire.
