Traditional houses with thatch and lauze roofs, a protected estate and trails of varying lengths offer several distinct ways to explore Moudeyres. The village is located in the Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d'Ardèche. Architecture, regional history and landscape are therefore central to planning your trip; the trails vary in both length and theme. You can focus your visit on local architecture, the region’s history of everyday life, or nature and landscape themes.

Thatch and Lauze Roofs in the Village

Moudeyres has preserved traditional houses with thatch and lauze roofs. The thatch roofs are made using locally grown rye straw, which is tied into small bundles. These bundles are called cluassou. This means that the local building style is defined not only by the visible shape of the roofs: the origin of the building material and how it is processed are also part of the picture. Thatch and lauze are two specifically mentioned roof types; for thatch, there is the additional detail that the rye straw is grown locally. If you are interested in rural architecture, this combination of houses, roofing materials and craftsmanship offers a tangible way to explore the village’s building heritage.

History and Ecomuseum

Ferme Perrel in Moudeyres has been protected as a Monument historique since 13 December 1977. The designation covers the entire estate, including its outbuildings. The Ecomuseum Ferme des Frères Perrel offers one-hour guided tours introducing visitors to the everyday life of the region’s former inhabitants. You can take the tour’s duration into account when planning your day; its subject matter complements the historic buildings with a look at regional everyday life.

Hiking Routes by Length and Landscape

The Respirando route PR 592, “La vallée de l'Aubépin,” is 2.5 km long. PR 590, “Le plateau du Fraisse,” covers 11 km. It passes through pastures separated by dry-stone walls and offers a 360° view of Velay and the Mézenc. At 20 km, PR 591, “Entre monts et vallées,” is the longest of these three Respirando routes. It passes through Moudeyres and Laussonne and by Étangs des Barthes. The routes therefore offer different points of reference: the description of PR 590 includes pastures, walls and views, while PR 591 is noted for passing through two villages and by Étangs des Barthes. The stated distances for PR 590 and PR 591 may change locally; check them before setting out if the exact length is important to your plans.

Nature-Themed Discovery Trail

The 8 km Sentier de découverte de Moudeyres starts in the heart of the village and ends at the Ecomuseum Ferme des Frères Perrel. Several information panels cover fauna and flora, as well as observing the landscape. The trail thus combines a specific distance and a start in the village center with an educational focus along the way. Its endpoint at the ecomuseum also links it to regional history. Compared with the Respirando routes, the Sentier can therefore be described in terms of more than just distance: its nature and landscape panels and endpoint are also part of the picture.

For an overview of the wider destination: Haute-Loire.