Around thirty chibottes make heritage a distinctive feature of Vals-Près-Le-Puy. There are also specific hiking trails, a church of architectural interest and recurring dates on the market and events calendar. Visitors planning a stay can focus on culture, outdoor activities or a particular event date.
Chibottes and the valleys
Chibottes are circular or semicircular dry-stone huts. Their false domes use corbelled construction, with layers of stone projecting outwards as they rise. This creates a characteristic roof shape which, together with the building technique, gives this traditional architecture its distinctive appeal.
The Vallée des Chibottes was classified in March 2016 and covers about 280 hectares. Its landscapes and historic heritage are noteworthy. A visitor trail through the chibottes opened in November 2011. The PR638 Le sentier des Chibottes leads from one chibotte to the next. If you plan to follow this trail, check the latest route details before setting out.
The Vallée du Dolaizon was also classified, on 7 March 2016. Its built heritage, ecological richness and landscape are considered noteworthy. There is also a no-kill fishing section on the Dolaizon, where fly-fishing is the only permitted method. So, alongside its landscape and heritage, the valley has a specific fishing rule: the permitted method is clearly limited in this section.
Hiking trails for different plans
The PR552 La haute vallée du Dolaizon is classified as a difficult hiking trail. It is 14.7 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 4 hours and 15 minutes. The trail starts and ends in Vals-Près-Le-Puy. Parking is recommended next to the town hall on Rue Jacques Viscomte. The distance, difficulty and duration help you estimate how much time this hike will take. As classifications and measurements may be updated and access information can change, check the details before your hike.
The GR700 long-distance trail also passes through Vals-Près-Le-Puy. This means there are different types of routes in the area: the PR552 has a stated difficulty, distance and duration, while the GR700 passes through the town as a long-distance trail. This distinction is useful when choosing between a hike with specific figures and a route that covers a longer distance.
Church and architecture
The present-day church dates back to a complex of buildings from the 12th century and was listed as a historic monument on 8 October 1968. It was a monastic chapel and is an example of classical architecture. On the street façade, the entrance door features an oculus surrounded by foliage, followed by a monumental rusticated portal. An oculus is a circular opening in architecture. Together with the portal, this detail makes the façade a tangible point of interest on a cultural heritage walk.
Market and annual events
A weekly market is held every Sunday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Place du Couvige. Vegetable growers, meat producers and cheesemongers are represented; the range of stalls may vary. The market is therefore a regular Sunday morning event.
The Salon Vinivals takes place every year on the second weekend in February and brings together wines and regional products. The Foulée des Vignerons is another annual event: it takes place on the last Sunday in August and includes trail races. Unlike the weekly market, these two events are tied to specific weekends. Check the dates and programme for each edition; the route details for the Foulée may also change.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Pal-De-Chalencon, Monlet, Sembadel, Saint-Arcons-De-Barges, Les Estables, Dunières, Lavoûte-sur-Loire, Saint-Vincent
For the broader travel guide: Haute-Loire.
