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Vallée de Chaudefour: a walk and lunch on a day trip from Vichy

Published 25 August 2021

Le Buron de Chaudefour, an inn at the entrance to the valley of the same name, is no longer open to customers: the Sancy tourist office lists it as closed and it appears as closed on online platforms. The Chaudefour valley, however, still makes a wonderful day out from Vichy, and other restaurants nearby let you have lunch after your walk. Here is how to plan the trip.

The drive from Vichy

Allow about an hour and a half. Take the motorway to Clermont-Ferrand, then head for the Sancy massif and Chambon-sur-Lac. The last roads are winding and can be snowy in winter: check the state of the mountain passes before setting off between November and March.

This is a full day out: leave early to enjoy the valley before the midday crowds in summer.

Why go so far when you are staying in Vichy? Because the contrast is total: in under two hours you go from spa parks and the banks of the Allier to high-mountain scenery, with peaks over 1,500 m. It is a good day to slot into the middle of a stay, once you have already seen the town.

The Chaudefour valley

The valley is protected as a nature reserve. A path leaves from the reserve's visitor centre (maison de la réserve) and climbs up the valley floor, between rocky peaks, waterfalls and meadows. The walk to the main sights is suitable for families, provided you have good shoes.

• Stay on the waymarked paths and respect the reserve's regulations.
• Take water and a warm layer: at altitude, the temperature drops quickly.
• The nearby Lac Chambon is a good place for a break by the water in summer.

Where to have lunch around Chaudefour

Two places in the commune of Chambon-sur-Lac are open in late 2026:

• L'Auberge de Moneaux, a few bends from the reserve: a family-run inn serving regional dishes such as truffade, potée and stuffed cabbage, as well as Salers beef. The restaurant serves lunch; it is closed in November 2026 and reopens from 1 December. Booking strongly recommended. See the Sancy tourist office page.
• Le Buron du Col, at the Col de la Croix-Morand, at over 1,400 m altitude: home-made truffade, omelettes with Auvergne cheese, hikers' platters. Currently open every day, booking essential. More information on the Buron du Col website.

Opening hours of mountain restaurants change with the seasons: call the day before to confirm.

Extending the day

On the way back, you can stop off in Clermont-Ferrand or in the Chaîne des Puys. In the Combrailles, the Gour de Tazenat offers another, shorter volcanic walk: see our article on the Gour de Tazenat. For a taste of Auvergne produce, also see our article on local specialities.

Back to Vichy in the evening

After a day in the mountains, returning to comfortable accommodation matters. Our apartments in the spa quarter and our holiday residences can be booked from one night, with cleaning and linen included.