The Gorges de la Loire are located in 2 departments Haute-Loire (43) and Loire (42) in the heart of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, between the towns of Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Etienne, only 1h15 from Lyon.
At the crossroads between Velay and Forez, exchanges between populations have always been numerous, and associated with the river that binds them.
The Haute-Loire and the volcanoes
The Loire is considered as the last wild river in Europe, it has its source at Mont-Gerbier de Jonc in Ardèche and crosses the department of Haute-Loire (43) then the department of Loire (42). It is here only a wild and steep river. Between gorges and plains, the Loire threads its way through the altiligerian volcanoes : les Sucs, these volcanoes without craters with rounded shapes which are the most numerous and the oldest in Auvergne (14 million years). These typical landscapes of Velay are unique in Europe.
Grangent Lake
As it leaves Haute-Loire after Aurec-sur-Loire, as far as Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, the river becomes a stretch of water of 365 ha. It's the Grangent Lake, retained by the hydroelectric dam of the same name. The beach of Saint-Victor-sur-Loire (municipality of Saint-Etienne) is a popular spot for Loire residents, the name given to the inhabitants of the Loire department, and holidaymakers.
Here, the meanders of the Loire offer breathtaking views in the middle of verdant nature overlooked by typical villages.
Discover our departments
My Haute-Loire : Auvergne's best kept secret. Haute-Loire Tourisme offers all its activities for your holidays and weekends in Auvergne.
Discover all the tourist charms of the Loire : its landscapes, historical monuments, sports activities, cultural events, specialties.
Major sites nearby
