Simplicity, conviviality and authenticity. These three words sum up what you will find at Gîte de la ferme de La Tour aux vents. This preserved place offers a welcome break for a stay in nature in complete tranquility, at the gates of the Cézallier massif. On the borders of Cantal, Puy de Dôme and Haute-Loire, the Cézallier plateau, nicknamed the “little Auvergne Mongolia” is a superb place of escape and calm. Ready for a getaway, family or with friends, exotic and invigorating? IMMERSIVE HOLIDAYS ON THE FARM, IN HARMONY WITH NATURE AND ANIMALS Immersive holidays on the farm, in harmony with nature and animals The gîte de la Tour aux vents is located in the hamlet of La Coharde-Basse to Laurie. The farm is 1,200 meters above sea level, in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne. From the A75, allow 30 minutes by car to get there. You will stay in a house adjoining the home of the owners Aline and Nicolas. This character stone building, built in 1859, has recently been renovated with great care. The 90 m2 gîte is spread over 2 levels and can accommodate 4 people. The comfortable interior will charm you with its mix of authenticity and modernity: stone walls, wooden beams, antique and contemporary furniture. A large living room occupies the ground floor. It is organized around the cantou, a large stone fireplace, inside which has slipped a wood stove. The lounge area, with sofa and armchair, is ideal for reading or sharing moments of conviviality. Books, GN cards and board games are available. The kitchen area is equipped with everything you need (hob, microwave, fridge, small appliances and washing machine) to prepare your meals. Two spacious and cozy bedrooms, each with a private bathroom with toilet, await you upstairs. A first bedroom is equipped with a double bed (160 cm) and the second has 2 single beds (90 cm). Sheets are provided and beds are made upon arrival. If you come on holiday with a baby, a kit (cot, high chair, booster seat) will be provided free of charge. In fine weather, you can take your meals outside, garden furniture and a barbecue are provided for this purpose. Games, sandpits for the little ones, and ping-pong table for the older ones, will enhance your relaxing breaks in the garden. Nicolas and Aline raise Montbéliarde dairy cows and Salers suckler cows. Passionate about their profession, they will be keen to share it with you. During your stay, you can discover the farm, participate in the milking of the cows and feed the animals (chickens, rabbits, horses). Workshops for children, accompanied by their parents, are offered by reservation (from €13 per child and €7 per adult). These nature activities: building a cabin, painting a slate, treasure hunts, etc. are punctuated by a snack on the farm. Aline prepares, on order, packed lunches for your arrival. The basket is made up of local products (charcuterie, truffade, apple juice, farm yoghurts, brioche, etc.) and varies according to the season (vegetables, homemade ice cream, etc.). If you want to spend your first holiday evening without worrying about shopping, consider reserving your basket. Price: €50 for 2 people or €85 for 4 people. GOOD TO KNOW / the cleaning fee is compulsory (30€) / possibility of renting towels (10€ /per person) / arrival: between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. - departure: between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. / outside July and August booking from 2 nights / free parking on site / animals are not accepted in this rental HOLIDAYS TO RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES IN THE MIDDLE OF NATURE The Cézallier plateau is a land of mountain pastures. In the green high pastures, the Salers and Aubrac cows graze peacefully and the burons dot the landscape. Characterized by vast expanses of grass, this region nicknamed the “little Auvergne Mongolia” is a superb place of escape and calm. At the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Natural Park, halfway between the Sancy massif to the north and the Cantal mountains to the south, this unspoiled territory is renowned for its countless hiking trails and outdoor activities (cycling, Mountain biking, trail, paragliding, skiing, fishing...) If hiking is your main occupation, you can explore routes in the mountains, on the plateaus, in valleys or in the forests. The marked trails are varied and suitable for both a family outing and an excursion with friends. The GR®400, GR®4 and GR®465 or via Arverna are among the “star” routes in the region. Just like the Tour des Vaches Rouges, several stages of which allow you to cross the authentic and wild landscape of the high plateaus of Cézallier. During your holidays, let yourself be tempted by the ascent of Puy Mary - Grand Site de France, at its summit you will be seduced by the view of the Monts du Cantal. Count 1 hour journey (60 km) from the gîte de la Tour aux vents. In any season, 56 km from your vacation rental, the resort of Lioran welcomes you to fill up on sensations. In winter, sliding sports are in the spotlight and in summer, you can indulge in various outdoor activities. If you are a fan of wide open spaces and ecotourism, Le Vélorail du Cézallier is an activity that will suit you perfectly. Departing from the Allanche and Landeyrat stations, embark on a journey accessible to the whole family and slide on the rails of transhumance! At Lac du Pêcher in Neussargues en Pinatelle, 31 km from your accommodation, you can fish for brown and rainbow trout. Classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, this 20-hectare mountain lake is a bird watching site. Surrounded by a landscape of mountain pastures, green meadows and softwood forests, the Jolan and Gazelle peat bogs in Ségur-les-Villas, 31 km from your rental, are among the most remarkable in Auvergne. The site is home to many natural habitats, plant species and heritage animals. A path and an "Ecobalade" application (free) allow you to understand the riches of this Regional Nature Reserve. From the gîte de la Tour aux vents farm, the department of Puy de Dôme is very close. The Auvergne Animal Park, in Ardes-sur-Couze, is home to 350 rare animals of 65 different species. This zoological reserve is committed to the protection of endangered species. 45 minutes by car from your accommodation. To improve your knowledge of volcanoes and natural phenomena, head to the Vulcania theme park (1h30 from your accommodation). This theme park dedicated to volcanism offers fun and educational activities. At the heart of the Puys chain, the volcanic lakes of Chambon, Aydat and Pavin will provide you with refreshing breaks. Lake Aydat, at 850 meters above sea level, is the largest natural lake in Auvergne. Catamaran, dinghy, kayak, rowing, windsurfing, optimist, fishing, swimming... many water activities can be practiced there. Holidays under the sign of heritage If nature is at your fingertips in the Cézallier massif, the built heritage has some great discoveries in store for you. Romanesque churches, fortified villages, small rural heritage, on foot, by bike or by car, you will come across a remarkable heritage. The fortified village of Allanche, 22 km from your vacation rental, is built on a basalt flow forming organs. Focused on pastoralism, Allanche hosts the traditional mountain pasture festival every year, which honors the herds of Salers cows. The Cézallier space presents characteristics of the territory: the summer pastures, the burons, the cheeses, the canvas merchants, the shaping of the landscapes, but also the water with its lakes, waterfalls, peat bogs. A great introduction to start your stay in the Cézallier. Massiac is a strategic town linking Cantal, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme. The rocky outcrops of Saint Victor and Sainte Madeleine, where two chapels face each other, mark its entrance. Located 25 minutes from your accommodation, Massiac is a dynamic town whose main event is the Palhàs festival (traditional apple and fruit fair). In the Cantal, there are a few nuggets worth mentioning to heritage lovers: Murat, classified as a Small City of Character (46 km away), Saint-Flour, Country of Art and History (45 km away) and Salers, classified as the Most Beautiful Villages of France (98 km). In the neighboring department of Haute-Loire, just 12 km from your gite, don't miss the village of Blesle. Classified among the beautiful villages of France, Blesle owes its existence and its growth to its Benedictine abbey created in the 9th century. The old center retains a varied architecture where wealthy residences, half-timbered houses and sculpted doors rub shoulders. City of Art and History, Le Puy-en-Velay has a remarkable religious heritage. These include the Cathedral and the Hôtel-Dieu, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A few minutes walk from the city center, the monumental statue of Notre-Dame de France is erected on the Rocher de Corneille. The climb to the statue, accessible on foot, is equipped with interpretation panels and an orientation table. Located 98 km from your accommodation, the town of Puy en Velay deserves a good day's visit. Farmhouse cheese (Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, Salers, goat cheese), Salers meat or pork, charcuterie (sausage, pâté, ham), artisanal ice cream, chocolate, honey, artisanal aperitif, artisanal beer… Local products on sale directly in the surrounding farms, on their place of production or on the markets will delight your taste buds during your stay!