PARKS

Breath in the heart of the green lungs of the Spa. If you aspire for walks and greeneries, venture in the many parks of the Spa and enjoy hiking trails opened to all.

The Thermal Park

Park planted with trees next to the Thermal establishment of Royat, along the Tiretaine river, all the way to the village of Royat.
Games for children. Free access.

To see in the park : THE GEOSCOPE
A travel back to geological times... 

Pedestrian trail scattered with rocks which illustrate the local geological history.

The Bargoin park

Magnificient 7 ha leisure park built in the English style in the 19th century – Road from Beaumont to Royat
Park exhibiting nearly 600 species of centennial trees (cedars of Lebanon, sequoias, ginkos bilobas, yews,...) and a 250 year old maple tree with a 25 foot trunk perimeter.
Free access.
Open every day all year long :
• from 8 am until 5:30 pm November through February
• from 8 am until 7 pm March through October
• from 8 am until 8 pm April through September
• from 8 am until 9 pm May through August

The Montjoly Park

Green park which surrounds the current town hall, old 18th century mansion – Town Hall of Chamalières.

French-style garden « à la française » made of 3 terraces, classical beds, lawn and water jets for kids.

The park is equipped with 18 enamelled lava signs which help to identify the various types of over a century old trees : cedars of Lebanon, sequoias, Virginia tulip trees, rhita tree, magnolias, yews...
Free access.

WALKS AROUND ROYAT

On public pathways, Royat offers you a wide range of pleasant walks.

They help you to discover places such as the ARBORETUM, the village of CHARADE with its golf course and its rural inheritance ( the wash-house , cross, oven and the work with bulls ) the PUY DE CHARADE and GRAVENOIRE, together with excellent views of the PUY DE DOME and panoramic views over ROYAT, CLERMONT-FERRAND and the LIMAGNE.

From five different starting points choose a walk to meet your individual needs. The walks cover a total of some thirty kilometres, all clearly indicated by markers. All the paths are marked with mauve coloured markers. The length of each walk is given as a rough guide.

1 – STARTING FROM LE PARADIS (altitude 550m) 

FONTANAS : (Altitude 790m) : by the Chemin des Crêtes (1 hour) .
South facing aspect, gentle ascent. Very fine view point overlooking the spa town and valley of Royat..
PUY CHATEIX : (Altitude 593m) : (10 min)
VILLARS : (Altitude 722 m) : through the wood of Villars (1 hour).
This path follows large hairpin bends through the wood. There is a beautiful view over the City of Clermont-Ferrand and the plain of the Limagne.
This path also leads to Chamalières (Le Colombier) passing by Le Bey.
VILLARS : (Altitude 722m) : (55min) by the Chemin des Gravières.
This path turns off to the right from the Chemin des Crêtes crossing a plateau to reach Villars.
FONTANAS <- -> VILLARS : by the Chemin des Mortiers (20 min)
Very beautiful panorama of the puy de Dôme.

2 - STARTING FROM THE CEMETERY (altitude 560m)

QUARRY OF GRAVENOIRE : (Altitude 663m ) :
via Montferat (15 min). A narrow shady path.
via Corneboeuf and the Raz de Coutelas (25 min). Shady and/or steep sided paths leading into a forest track.
PUY DE GRAVENOIRE : (Altitude 822m) : via Corneboeuf (50 min)
This path leads to the old motor racing circuit which it crosses and then continues by an asphalt path to arrive at the television mast and an beautiful panorama.
CHARADE : (Altitude 840m) : via Montmiel (50 min) When you get to the covered bench, you have the choice between two paths, a step incline or (to the left ) a more gentle slope. The two paths join up again 500m further on. Magnificent wood and undergrowth.
ROCHER DU SALUT : (Altitude 784m) : via Les Rivaux (45 min)
This path winds under the Rocher du Salut and finally reaches it after joining the Chemin de la Pauze. This site offers a panorama over Royat, Clermont-Ferrand, the Limagne Plain and the mountains of Forez.

3 – STARTING FROM CHARADE (altitude 840m)

ROYAT : via Montmiel (30 min) . Pleasant descent through the wood.
ROYAT : via La Pauze (30 min) . On this walk you can take a detour to visit Le Rocher du Salut .
PUY DE CHARADE : (Altitude 904m ) . You will discover a fine view over the motor racing track .
THE ROYAT ARBORETUM : (Altitude 904m) : (20 min) A shady and gently sloping path .
ROCHER DU SALUT : Via the Chemin de la Pauze (30 min ) .
PETITE BOUCLE : (20 min) The surrounding areas of the village (southern side)

4 – STARTING FROM GRAVENOIRE (altitude 663m)

PANORAMA : (5 min) panorama over the city of Clermont-Ferrand and the Limagne.
ROYAT : via Montferat (10 min) . This shady path quickly leads to the town cemetery.
ROYAT : via the Raz de Coutelas, or via Cornebeouf (20 min); via Montmiel (50 min) A forest track offering very easy access.
CHARADE VILLAGE : (Altitude 840m) : (50 min) places to visit golf course, bread oven, shooting range.
PUY DE GRAVENOIRE (Altitude 822m) (50 min) viewing point and television mast.

5 – STARTING FROM LE BREUIL (altitude 750m) 

ARBORETUM : via the Chemin des Ecoliers (30 min)
The layout of this walk was chosen by the town’s “ Children’s Council” in 1994 with valauable help from local landowners. Pass alongside the sports stadium then follow the stoney track which leads into the Arboretum, where you will find clearly marked with their names a large number of different species of trees ( pinus, picea, cedrus, thuya…).

CHARADE : (1 hour) take the same walk to the Arboretum, then continue onwards following a pleasant forest track to reach the village of Charade.