Auvergne-Cantal

Enjoy a Spring/Autumn break at the beautiful and spacious Chateau la Prade in the unforgettable Auvergne region of France, at fantastic rates. 

Chateau la Prade, Ruynes en Margerides 

near St Flour in the Massif Central 

A variety of accomodation:

• Chambres d’hôtes ( bed and breakfast)

• Table d’hôtes   (evening dinner )

• Self Catering Suites 

Château La Prade was built in in the 19th century by the well known local landowning family, the Douets, and has recently been extensively restored. The rooms and self catering apartments are very spacious with tasteful and simple furnishings to suit the needs of our guests yet still retain the authentic atmosphere of this beautiful Chateau.  

 Choose from our list of accomodation, all guarantee the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the Chateau and grounds:

• 5 spacious double bedrooms , two of them with en suite bathroom.

• 2 apartments (2 rooms and a kitchen, en suite bathroom)

• A comfortable communal dining/sitting room with open fire in winter

• Bathrooms and toilets are located on each floor .  

• Full Central Heating throughout, and open fires in  both apartments and two of the bedrooms.  

Château La Prade is situated in beautiful secluded countyside with panoramic views, it is positioned at an altitude of 800 meters, in its own grounds of 1 hectare.

 Essential necessities such as a doctor, pharmacy and varied restaurants are within easy reach, 3 kilometers away in the village of Ruynes en Margeride.  
The historic and picturesque town of Saint-Flour, which dates from the 11th century is situated approximately 10 kilometers from the château.  

Tarifs for season 2007:

• The tarif for those wishing to stay for a longer time, walking and mountain biking and staying half board : please contact us

• We also offer exceptional terms for large groups, maximum 18 persons.

Prices exlusive touriststax  0,20 cent per person per night

How to get to the Chateau from the UK:

Convenient and access from London Stansted  with Ryanair to Rodez, 100km south, with affordable car hire from Rodez, all the main hire companies are there. 

Alternatively drive by Peage or Route Nationale via Paris and Orleans. The Chateau is 6 km from the new(free)A75 motorway. Approximate minimum drive time via tunnel and peage, 12 hours. (Add time for use of ferry and routes nationales).

Train: Eurostar to Paris, then direct to St Flour(10km from Chateau) leaving Paris Gare du Lyon. We will collect you from the station.

Countryside:

Le pays vert, the green land, is an appropriate name for the Auvergne. A thinly populated area with large green fields covered with flowers in springtime.The great forests of the region produce oxygen for the whole of France.

Cantal is the most southerly department of the Auvergne, here the volcanic mountains of Les Monts du Cantal create the area’s special characteristics. The mountain tops of the Plomb du Cantal and Puy Mary reach as high as 1900 meters.

Plateau Margeride is an extraordinary  high plateau, from where numerous rivers flow, finding their way to the many small lakes. Even though this area is situated in the south, winter can continue until the end of May.

Places of interests:

There is a lot to see and do in the area of Ruynes en Margeride. You will find below a brief list of some of the places of interests:

• Viaduct de Garabit (built  by Eiffel, who used this as a model to built the Eiffel tower several years later).

• The Ecomuseum included in the Tour de Ruynes en Margeride, this shows how the population of this area used to live, and the geological structures of this characteristic region.

• The Gorges de Truyere, reached from the D12 in the direction of Espalion provides a fantastic view, and along the Truyere one can find many places where to swim.  

• Cirque de Mandailles, a wonderful valley with fields, forests, and many streams and waterfalls searching their way to the river Jordanne.

• Mont Mouchet  provides a monument and museum dedicated to the legendary resistance of the Marquisards during the second world war.
  

Activities:

The Auvergne is an area perfectly suited to the modern outdoor person, almost the entire area seems to provide some outdoor activity. Walking is the main activity, followed closely by mountain biking, canoeing and riding. For the brave there is the possibilty to go hang-gliding, paragliding and rock climbing.

Walking
Our area is a walker's paradise. There are many interlinking routes, but for the real fanatics there is the Grande Randonee 4, which plays a role in the Pilgrim's route to Santiago de Compostella.

Cycling
The Auvergne and, in particular, the Cantal, could be said to comprise the El Dorado of cross country cyclists! The French name for this is VTT (Velo Tout Terrain). The hilly countryside is a challenge for any level of racing cyclist.
Even though there are many indicated ATB -routes, we are very willing to suggest routes that are suitable for your technical ability and fitness. There is also the opportunity to hire spring fitted ATB bikes.

Watersport
In the reservoir and rivers, almost any form of water sport can be practised here. Pedalos, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and swimming. It's also very idyllic for fishing.The waters are brimming with forel and other fishes.
In the immediate neighbourhood one can see the reservoir of Barage de Grandval, and the river The Truyere which offers various water and fishing activities.

Climbing
The mountains of the Auvergne belong to the low and middle mountain area that is ideal for rockclimbing. The 4 main areas for rockclimbing in the Cantal area are:

• Chaudes-Aigues (East Cantal)
• Riom ès Montagne - Cézallier (Nord Cantal)
• Mauriac (West Cantal)
• Aurillac (South Cantal)

You can reach each of these areas within one hour but the area of Chaudes Aigues is the most interesting.
Le Bout de Monde has 19 routes, variating 3b/6b, and you can reach it within 10 minutes. Gorges du Bès: 78 routes (3b-8a) height 20 - 100 meters and Roc d'Hozières where the rocks are till 240 meters heigh and a difficulty from 5b till 7b.

Wintersport
The wintersport activities take place some 30 minutes from here at Le Lioran, known for its good alpine skiing. Otherwise, snow permitting, cross country skiers might start their journey straight from the chateau.

Culture & Gastronomy:

The architecture in this area is characteristic for its Roman style and the use of dark volcanic rocks. These characteristics can be found mainly in the many churches dating from the 11 th and the 12 th century.

Luckily the average tourist menu consisting of steak and frites has not so far manifested itself in this area, and one can still enjoy authentic French cuisine usually consisting of traditional four course meals. Beef and lamb form the basis of the daily menu, this coming from the free-roaming herds and flocks of the area.  
In the middle of winter, wild game is added to the menu, along with fish from the local rivers.  
One can purchase cheeses such as the creamy Saint-Nectaire, the full fat Cantal, or the blue cheese Bleu d’Auvergne, directly from farms or any of the numerous small cheese factories.  
The Auvergne region produces delicious red, rose and white wines. The quality and place of production are certified by the Cote d’Auvergne appellation controlee.

Contacts:

Please contact the following people below for further information:

• Albert & Ria Voorzee

Telephone (we speak english)

• Landline: 0033-(0)4.71.23.48.99
• Mobile:   0033-(0)6.81.65.70.30

By email
info@chateaulaprade.info

By post
Château La Prade
La Prade Basse
15320 Ruynes en Margeride
France

Routes:

By car
Château La Prade is easily accessible via the motorway A75 Clermond Ferrand - Montpellier. Level with Saint-Flour on the map, leave the motorway by junction Ruynes en Margeride (exit 30). At the end of the junction turn left (D74), after 1.3 kilometers at the crossroads turn right. After 1,5 kilometers take the first turning on the right (D50). From this point on there will be signs to direct you. Follow the D50 over the level crossing and take the first road on the right in the direction of Chaliers and Lorcieres (=D50) and finally after about 1 km you will see a sign La Prade Basse, turn left.

The links below offer suggestions for alternative routes (from the fastest road to the tourist route).

http://www.viamichelin.com/
http://www.mappy.fr/

GPS coordinates:
4459473 N
312444   E

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