Discover Biollet through a range of very different themes: Buddhist art at the Grand Temple near Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, reconstructed classrooms and walking routes of varying lengths. You can choose a focus for your stay—temple art, school history or outdoor activities. During the day, fishing is also possible at Étang du Cheix; Les Ateliers du Temple also offer visitors crêpes and drinks there.

Temple art and a bamboo grove

The Grand Temple near Dhagpo Kundreul Ling is open year-round for self-guided or guided visits. A one-hour guided tour introduces the temple’s history and purpose, as well as its works of art, including numerous statues, murals depicting the life of Buddha and mandalas. If you would prefer to explore independently, you can choose a self-guided visit; a guided tour covers the historical and artistic themes in one hour. If you are planning a guided tour, it is advisable to check the latest visitor information before setting out.

The park below the Grand Temple is home to an oriental-style bamboo grove. Alongside the works of art, the park and grove offer another point of interest. The temple and park each have a different focus: the history and purpose of the building and its art on the one hand, and a bamboo grove in the park below the temple on the other.

School history at the Musée de l’école d’antan

The Musée de l’école d’antan recreates two classrooms from the 1940s and 1950s. Visitors can look for former pupils in old class photos and search for familiar names in old school registers. Upstairs, you can also explore the teacher’s room. The museum offers several ways to discover school history: recreated rooms, people shown in photographs and names in the registers.

Free unguided visits are available for individuals and groups. Opening is seasonal, so check visiting hours before setting out. If you are especially interested in personal traces, the photos and school registers offer a different focus from the recreated classrooms. The teacher’s room adds another dimension to these impressions, in a space visitors can discover upstairs.

Walking routes of varying lengths

The difference in length between the routes is clear. The Temple Bouddhiste route is an easy 4 km loop that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. At 18.8 km, Le Chemin du Temple is a considerably longer circular route that passes close to Biollet’s Buddhist temple and Étang de Cheix. You can choose between a short, easy loop and a longer route.

In fine weather, Le Chemin du Temple offers views of the Chaîne des Puys, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Massif du Sancy. Both the route length and the weather conditions for these views are therefore relevant when choosing a route. If you are looking for a shorter walk, you can use the 4 km distance and approximate duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes as a guide; in suitable weather, the 18.8 km loop combines a route near the temple and Étang with the views.

Fishing and visitor facilities at Étang du Cheix

Carp and trout fishing is possible at Étang du Cheix during the day. The pond also has a fishing platform. Les Ateliers du Temple offer visitors savoury and sweet crêpes as well as hot or cold drinks at the pond. Visitors can also discover chocolate and candles made by the community’s monastic and lay residents.

The pond offers something for different interests: fishing by the water, as well as crêpes and drinks. Chocolate and candles add another point of interest, linked to the community’s residents. Together with temple art, school history and walking routes of varying lengths, these themes make it possible to choose what to focus on during your stay in Biollet.

Discover more destinations: Buxières-Sous-Montaigut, Royat, Olloix, Charbonnier-les-Mines, Volvic, Saint-Maurice-Près-Pionsat, Riom, Champeix

For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.