If you're keen on fishing for trout or like watching birds or butterflies in their natural habitat, our local rivers, woodland and meadows have riches for you to saveur. The mountains where we live are the source of many springs which supply our drinking water, feed the local rivers and irrigate the woods and meadows.
Our local river, La Durolle, a tributary of La Dore which flows into l'Allier and eventually into La Loire, is a rich source of brown trout. The season opens on the second Saturday in March and closes on the third Sunday of September each year. A daily or weekly permit is necessary but readily available. We're happy to help you obtain one if you would like us to.
And if you're interested in flies and fly-tying, take a look at this website: https://www.avozetto.com A local man with a passion for trout has developed some revolutionary techniques which not only make them more attractive to the fish but also make them last longer ! And, if you're interested he is also an authorised fishing guide.
As for the birds, personally we've never seen as many species in one place. One of our frequent guests has recorded more than thirty species from the garden of our gîte using only a standard pair of binoculars. We love to see and to listen to them and so we make sure they have plenty to eat throughout the lean seasons.
Another of our guests is passionate about butterflies. On his visits to us in mid-August and he was delighted to have observed 32 different species. To view the list please click here.