Vals-Près-Le-Puy: Chibottes, Hiking Trails and Heritage

Vals-Près-Le-Puy offers several reasons to plan a stay: dry-stone huts, historic buildings, listed valleys, hiking trails and recurring events. If you are looking for a hotel in this destination, consider whether heritage, an outdoor excursion or event dates should be the focus of your trip.

Chibottes and listed valleys

There are about thirty Chibottes in Vals-Près-Le-Puy: circular or semicircular dry-stone huts. Their corbelled domes were built using the corbelling technique, in which each layer of stones projects inward to form the dome shape as it rises. The huts therefore combine a distinctive architectural form with the history of the landscape.

The Vallée des Chibottes is an area of about 280 hectares, listed in March 2016 for its remarkable landscapes and historical heritage. The Vallée du Dolaizon was also listed in 2016, on March 7. The valley is considered remarkable for its built heritage, ecological richness and landscape. Together, the two valleys offer different points of interest for travelers interested in landscapes or history.

Hiking trails and routes

A visitor trail through the Chibottes opened in November 2011. The PR638 Le sentier des Chibottes leads from one Chibotte to the next. For up-to-date trail details, check the information on site.

The PR552 La haute vallée du Dolaizon is rated difficult. The 14.7-kilometer hiking trail is listed as taking 4 hours and 15 minutes; ratings and measurements may change if the route is modified. The trail starts and ends in Vals-Près-Le-Puy. A parking area next to the town hall on Rue Jacques Viscomte is recommended. Check access information before setting out.

For the PR552, the length, rating and stated duration help you gauge the scale of the hike; the PR638 focuses on the route from one Chibotte to the next. The GR700 long-distance trail also passes through Vals-Près-Le-Puy. These describe different trail connections in the area, though the same route details are not available for all of them.

There is also a no-kill fishing section along the Dolaizon, where fly fishing is the only type of fishing permitted. This specific restriction is important if you are interested in fishing.

Church and architecture

The church in Vals-Près-Le-Puy dates back to a building complex from the 12th century and was listed as a historic monument on October 8, 1968. It is a former priory chapel and an example of classical architecture. Its street-facing façade features an entrance door with an oculus surrounded by foliage, alongside a monumental rusticated portal. These features give the church a distinct architectural place among the town’s historic sights.

Weekly market and events

A weekly market is held every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Place du Couvige. The market includes vegetable growers, meat producers and cheese sellers; the stallholders may vary. The regular market provides another point of reference when planning a Sunday in Vals-Près-Le-Puy.

The Salon Vinivals takes place every year on the second weekend of February and brings together wines and regional products. Check the dates and program for each edition. The Foulée des Vignerons takes place every year on the last Sunday in August and includes trail runs; course details may vary from one edition to another. If events are part of your stay, include their respective dates and program information in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Géron, Le Monastier-Sur-Gazeille, Salzuit, Le Chambon-Sur-Lignon, Montagnac, Mazerat-Aurouze, Chastel, Saint-Front.

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Loire.