Maybe I am exaggerating, but as I have now lived here for some time, I think this is the way it is. For one thing, it is not easy to get to the Auvergne. Hence, the public is not aware of it as there are mountains (once volcanic) throughout the region. The highway or autoroute that one can take now is only 30 years old. So, essentially this is a place that was more or less shut out to the exterior.
Auvergne is a place where the sheep still cross the streets, the cars waiting for them to make their way toward the field or prarie. Sounds idyllic, well, it is. There are very few people living here, it is quiet and yet things are happening. The current wave of organic farming is a strong indication of a desire to keep things close to the origin. In the local Thursday market of Langeac, in the Haute Loire department, there are several vendors of organic not only produce but also cheese, and chickens! This is not San Francisco, but here there is even a brewery for Organic beer in the small village of Chassagnes, next to Paulhaguet. In May there is an Organic Fair, also taking place in the town of Langeac.
The magnificent village of Lavoute Chilhac caters to the sporty as well as cultural tastes of its visitors. Here, one can lounge by the river, rent kayaks, sip an iced coffee on the terrace of the local café, or pass time out of the sun in the 11th century church. One walks through the village in summer in flip flops and shorts or even in a bathingsuit. Low key is the lay of the land. Tourists don’t dress up rather they dress down! It is a place for lovers of nature, history, great cheese and cultural stimulation. It is also for addicts of walking, biking, fishing, swimming and birdwatching. Because just in this small valley, one can discover a plethora of species of wildlife.
Some of the other villages (there are a lot), that I love to visit, all along the Allier River... One of these is Chilhac, which has a Museum of Prehistory (Prehistoric Museum). In Chilhac, you just park your car and walk around. Continuing down the river near Langeac, is Chanteuges, an incredible view from the Monastery, Pebrac, Chavaniac Lafayette, La Chaise Dieu…
The Val d’Allier is or the Allier River Valley is surrounded by small mountains, tiny villages with stone houses, beautiful gardens and a sense of sublime commune with nature. For this reason and perhaps the low cost of living here, many writers and artists have settled in this Valley. In summer, there are music festivals as well as art shows.
Welcome to langeac, a small town but with everything one might need. It is about one hour from Clermont Ferrand and 45 minutes from Le Puy en Velay . There are small shops, 4 bakeries, a butcher, cafes, a church, super markets, restaurants, doctors, physical therapists, dentists, a cultural center, concerts with an orchestra or other kinds of music, a place to do Qigong, art…. and much more. There is a small Tuesday market and a bigger one on Thursdays.
Even though it’s not a big city, people are very serious about their food and that it is local and organic ! Some people speak English and they really appreciate it if you make the effort to speak French but they are eager to show off their talent in English. Langeac is tucked away in the Haute Loire. It is beautiful here. The nature is stunning and very pristine. The Allier River flows through langeac. One can fish, bathe or canoe in it.
The house : ground floor, one walks in and there is a living room on the right with a pellet stove, straight ahead a WC and downstairs a cellar. On the left there’s a dining area and from there a kitchen that overlooks a very private court yard.
There isn’t a lot of land but I have put my veggies and flowers in pots. All the floors are parquet except the kitchen which is tile.
Then you walk up stairs and find 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom with a shower that has a seat installed.
Then on the next floor there are two more bedrooms, the water heater and a WC with washing sink.
It’s right in town, so you can walk everywhere, no need for the car and about a five minute walk from the train station.
The kithchen was installed December 2022. The pellet stove January 2022, the front door and shutters spring of 2022, the shower, sink and WC 2022, and the gutters were cleaned in April 2025.
Do not hesitate to ask questions, I would be happy to be of service.
