Cros lies in the peat bog country in the heart of the Artense. Dry-stone walls, wetlands and protected peat bogs shape the distinctive landscape. If regulations have changed, check the current protection status before your visit. Several hiking and mountain biking routes, as well as the Sainte-Madeleine church, offer different ways to enjoy your stay. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Cros, you can consider nature, outdoor activities and heritage as separate reasons for choosing the area.

Sainte-Madeleine church

Sainte-Madeleine church brings together several periods of construction: the choir is Romanesque, the nave dates from the 14th century, and the north chapel was added later. Inside are Gothic stone holy-water stoups and a 13th-century reliquary, which is classified as a historic monument. Anyone interested in church architecture will find the building’s history and furnishings side by side: the sequence from the Romanesque choir to the nave and then the later chapel shapes how the building is seen.

Distinguishing hiking and mountain biking

For hiking, La cascade de Gerbaut is one clearly described option: this easy circular route is 7.6 kilometres long and takes about three hours. It starts in the centre of Cros and allows you to visit the church. Along the way, it passes through hamlets and meadows, follows riverbanks and goes through the forest. The route therefore connects the village centre with a variety of landscape features; the stated duration applies to the hike itself.

A mountain biking route is also listed under the same name, with a distance of 10.0 kilometres. When planning, keep the two activity details separate: 7.6 kilometres and around three hours apply to the easy circular hike, while 10.0 kilometres applies to the mountain biking route. This will help you choose the activity that suits you, rather than applying the distance or duration from one route to the other.

Landscapes on other routes

Le bois de Rochemave runs alongside the Tourbière de Lacoste and offers a view of the Monts du Cantal. The route follows paths bordered by dry-stone walls through heathland and deciduous forests. Les Quatre Hameaux highlights varied natural landscapes typical of the Artense; the route offers open views of the Sancy and Cantal mountain ranges. The routes therefore have different landscape highlights: Rochemave combines a path alongside a peat bog with heathland and deciduous forest, while Les Quatre Hameaux focuses on open views of two mountain ranges.

Local history and life

Cros has historic ties to cloth merchants. This connection adds an economic-history dimension to the religious architecture. Cros also has a cultural programme, with forums and conferences held several times a year. Individual events may change; check the latest dates before your trip if you plan to attend an event.

The hamlets of Cros can be reached on foot or by bicycle, making it possible to get around locally in a sustainable way. Cros also has outlets selling farm produce. As individual outlets may change, check the latest information before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Trémouille-Saint-Loup, Saint-Pierre-Le-Chastel, Valcivières, Parent, Saint-Étienne-Sur-Usson, Saint-Genès-Champespe, Sayat, Chamalières

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