Goudet: Loire, Castle and Hiking Trails

Goudet combines Loire scenery, hiking routes and architectural history. Here, the Loire flows below basalt cliffs, with small beaches along its banks. There is also PR583 La draille des muletiers, the GR 70 Chemin de Stevenson and Château de Beaufort, perched on a rocky outcrop in a bend in the Loire. When planning your stay, you can choose between nature, hiking and historic buildings as different focal points.

The Loire and Swimming

Small beaches along the banks of the Loire invite you to swim. They are located upstream and downstream of the Pont de la Loire. Swimming is permitted but unsupervised. Check local conditions before swimming. This way, you can keep both the riverside location and swimming conditions in mind.

Hiking in Goudet

PR583 La draille des muletiers is an easy 6.9 km circular hike with 325 m of ascent. The route starts and ends in Goudet and passes through varied landscapes around the wild Loire. Its distance, ascent and easy rating offer different points of reference for planning; consider them together with your own hiking experience. The GR 70 Chemin de Stevenson is a long-distance hiking trail that also passes through Goudet. This means there are two distinct hiking options: a circular route starting and ending in the village, and a long-distance trail passing through Goudet.

Castle and Church Architecture

Château de Beaufort was built in the 13th century on the orders of Lambert de Goudet, on a rocky outcrop. The outcrop lies like a peninsula in a bend in the Loire. The combination of the rocky outcrop, its peninsula-like position and the river bend makes the château’s setting a striking part of its history. Château fort de Beaufort has been protected as a historic monument by decree since 7 February 1994. Visits are possible year-round by prior appointment and outside working days. Arrange your visit before you arrive.

Eglise de Goudet stands on the site of a former Benedictine priory, of which only a few remains survive. Its tower has a spire covered with glazed tiles, which are rare in the Velay. The church and the château offer different perspectives on Goudet’s architectural history: for the castle, the focus is on its 13th-century origins and its position in the bend of the Loire; for the church, on the former priory and its unusual tower design.

Plan Around Your Activities

Preparations vary depending on the activity: distance, ascent and difficulty rating help you assess the circular hike; the château requires an appointment in advance, and swimming is unsupervised. If you are looking for a hotel in Goudet, these differences can help you choose a destination that suits the activities you actually plan to do.

Discover more destinations: Villeneuve-D'allier, Beaune-sur-Arzon, Montregard, Roche-En-Régnier, Alleyrac, Le Chambon-Sur-Lignon, Les Vastres, Allègre

Go to the regional travel overview: Haute-Loire.