Pradelles stands above Lac de Naussac, offering views across the entire Haut-Allier Valley. In the town centre, medieval lanes wind between houses built over several centuries. The town also has traces of its former fortifications, several church buildings and hiking options with different features. For your stay, you can therefore choose between focusing on local history and architecture or embarking on a longer hike.
Historic lanes and a fortified town gate
Pradelles was a fortified town. Its medieval lanes are lined with houses built over several centuries. The Portail du Besset was the town’s southern gate. It preserves remnants of the drawbridge or portcullis, as well as the gate-closing mechanisms.
The gate provided access to the Chemin de Régordane, which connected Le Puy-en-Velay with Saint-Gilles. Robert Louis Stevenson passed through the Portail du Besset in September 1878; this event is associated with the GR 70. The two connections represent different historical aspects of the gate: on the one hand, a route between two places, and on the other, Stevenson’s passage.
Chapels and churches in Pradelles
The Chapelle Notre-Dame is the surviving part of the former HĂ´pital Saint-Jacques, which cared for pilgrims and sick people. Since 6 January 1971, it has been partially listed as a historic monument; the listing covers the chapel, including its vaulted passageway and entrance doors.
The Chapelle des pénitents de Pradelles was a chapel belonging to an independent brotherhood. After a fire in 1680, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1696. Its west façade features a monumental stone surround; its portal was listed as a historic monument by decree on 26 January 1998.
The Eglise Saint-Pierre is a Neo-Gothic replacement for an older Romanesque church. Its stained-glass windows are by Charles Borie and were restored by Emmanuel Barrois de Lavaudieu. These three religious buildings offer different perspectives on Pradelles’ history: as a place with a former pilgrims’ and hospital, an independent brotherhood chapel and a newer church built to replace a Romanesque predecessor.
Hiking between the valley, lake and old routes
The challenging PR126 La croix de la Vié hiking route starts in Pradelles and is 13.5 kilometres long. It offers views of the Allier Valley and Lac de Naussac and follows old routes lined with wayside crosses. If you plan this hike, take its stated difficulty and distance into account. Route details may change; check the information before setting off.
The PR125 Les châteaux hike runs along the banks of the Allier and passes the Vélorail departure station. It also connects with the long-distance trails GR 70, GR 470 and GR 700. The routes therefore have different stated focuses: PR126 combines the specified distance and difficulty with views of the valley and lake, while PR125 follows the riverbank and leads to several long-distance trails.
Another ride along the former railway line
The VĂ©lorail de Pradelles offers several rides along a former railway line. The vehicles can be equipped with optional electric assistance. Alongside the hiking routes, this offers another activity, distinguished from the hikes described by its former railway line and optional assistance.
In 2026, you can explore the historic town independently at any time; individual guided visits are available on request. You can plan your visit to the historic town without a guide, or make an advance enquiry about a guided individual visit.
Discover more destinations: Lavoûte-Chilhac, Vernassal, Saint-Jean-Lachalm, Blavozy, La Chapelle-Geneste, Monistrol-D'allier, Montregard, Saint-Romain-Lachalm.
See the broader travel overview: Haute-Loire.
