Crédits photo bandeau Picherande dans le Massif du Sancy
The Foutaine Salée Valley as a background, a generous nature with lakes, waterfalls, peat bogs … Picherande will seduce you after only one look and you can freely spend time there.
It is one of most beautiful view you will ever see with in the background the Massif du Sancy. Picherand is located at the heart of a wild landscape, between Monts Dore and the Artense plateau. This town, far away from any crowd, is the starting point of various walks. The town welcomes every year all the nature lovers in a beautiful place for families.
Picherande is surrounded by a generous nature, with a typical fauna and flora from Auvergne’s plateaus. Lakes, waterfalls, Fontaine Salée valley, rivers and peat bogs are various places where you can enjoy nice walks.
Picherande situé sur la carte du Massif du Sancy
The Picherande area is prone to the formation of marshland. Explore the natural peatland habitat, a choice spot where peat moss forms and offers ideal conditions for multiple plant and wildlife species. Follow the discovery trail from one information panel to another to find out all about this mysterious and fragile habitat.
Discover Gayme peat bog
Gayme lake was created artificially in a peat bog. Follow the footpath around the lake. Gayme lake is also a popular site for anglers.
Discover Gayme lake
Did you know...?
Peat bogs are acidic marshes where sphagnum moss and sundew grow... and where peat forms over thousands of years. Peat was used as fuel and later exploited by growers. Nowadays, The Volcans d'Auvergne Regional Nature Park and various local stakeholders work to preserve this exceptional natural habitat.
The Lake of Gayme at Picherande
The Gayme peat bog
The Lake of Gayme at Picherande
Chauvet lake, like others in Auvergne, formed in an old volcanic crater. This kind of lake is known as a "maar". Circular in shape, it has a diameter of about 600 metres and is 66 metres deep.
It formed around 150,000 years ago, before the passing centuries eroded the surrounding mountains. Although smaller and shallower, it looks very much like its close neighbour, Pavin lake.
Discover Chauvet lake
Chauvet lake in Picherande
Amid the calm and authenticity of a perfect little mountain village, Picherande offers all the pleasures of winter activities.
Picherande has a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing area in entirely natural surroundings. The wooded Picherande-Chareire sector opens out onto other parts of the Sancy Nordic area, and links up the southern and western slopes.
A few kilometres away, the resort of Super-Besse invites you to take your pick from a whole host of winter sports and activities.
Added bonus
Beginning from Picherande and its Fontaine Salée valley, you can practice the ski touring to join skiing and hiking in the same activity. Wearing seal skin, take your time and go on Sancy’s heights to discover wonderful landscapes. Don’t forget to consult weather forecasts before leaving.
Cross-country skiing in the Fontaine Salée Valley from Picherande
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