Our take
A way to understand the Salers cow and its cheese without jargon, with a proper tasting to finish. Fun, and it works just as well with children.
The Salers cow and its cheese, told in a 17th-century barn: films, 3D, tasting included and a shop of local products.
On a plateau in northern Cantal, at the locality of Le Fau, a 17th-century barn has been restored to tell one story: the Salers cow, with its mahogany coat and big lyre-shaped horns, and the cheese that bears its name. You're a few kilometres from the village of Salers, and you can tell.
The visit takes about 1 hour 30. Films, 3D and touchscreens tell the story of the breed, its hardiness and the work of a livestock farmer. Nothing dusty: it's designed for the curious and for children alike, with an app-based treasure hunt included in the ticket, from age 6. Allow €7 per adult, €4.50 for children, free under 8 (2026 prices).
The best part is the end: the tasting is included in the ticket. Salers beef charcuterie, two cheeses made with 100% Salers milk, biscuits, a local alcoholic drink. The shop takes over if you want to fill the cool box.
Our take, honestly: it's short, educational and well put together, perfect on a rainy day or with children. From here, a path leads down to the village of Salers: the cow, the cheese, then the village that made it all famous.
Why we love it
- A 17th-century barn devoted to the Salers cow, in films and 3D
- Tasting included: Salers beef charcuterie, two cheeses made with 100% Salers milk and a local alcoholic drink
- The app-based treasure hunt, included in the ticket, from age 6
- A shop of local products and a play area for children
Top tip
A walking path links the Maison to the village of Salers, one of the prettiest villages in the area. Plan half a day to do both.
Before you go
- Free parking on site.
- 2026 prices: €7 adult, €4.50 child, free under 8
- Allow about 1 hour 30 for the visit, tasting included
- Open from the February school holidays to 11 November and during the Christmas holidays: 09:00 to 19:00 in summer, 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 the rest of the year
- Digital trail game on an app, treasure hunt and exhibitions: all included in the ticket, available during opening hours
Practical info
- Address
- Domaine du fau, 15140 Saint-Bonnet-de-Salers, France
15140 Saint-Bonnet-de-Salers - Monday10h–12h, 14h–18h
- Tuesday10h–12h, 14h–18h
- Wednesday10h–12h, 14h–18h
- Thursday10h–12h, 14h–18h
- Friday10h–12h, 14h–18h
- Saturday10h–18h
- Today10h–12h, 14h–18h
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 564 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You're coming as a family: the educational farm keeps the children busy
- You want to understand Salers AOP (protected designation of origin) from the producer's side
- You're happy to leave with some local cheese
Give it a miss if
- You're expecting a big museum with elaborate staging: this is a producer's site
- You don't like the smell of the farm
Your logbook
Around La Maison de la Salers
2 spots in and around Saint-Bonnet-de-Salers, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
Le P'tit Comptoir
4.7Salers · 2.2 km away
€€Les Templiers
4.5Salers · 2.3 km away
La Cave de Salers
4.3Salers · 2.5 km away
Where to stay nearby
€€€Hôtel Restaurant et Spa Le Bailliage
4.4Salers · 2.2 km away
€€€Maison d'Hôtes La Grange
4.9Salers · 2.6 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Mountain bikingLa Planèze (mountain bike)
Start: Trizac, place de la Bascule au dessus de la station service du Garage
- 21.8 km
- +544 m
- 3 h 30 min
On footCases de Cotteughes
Start: Parking aménagé des Cases de Cotteughes, Saint-Vincent-de-Salers, 15380
- 6.5 km
- +211 m
- 2 h 15 min
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Top
Les plus beaux villages du Cantal : 7 arrêts qui valent le détour
Salers, Tournemire, Marcolès, Murat, Laroquebrou, Montsalvy, Chaudes-Aigues : nos 7 villages du Cantal, en deux boucles et un détour, avec les dates d'automne qui comptent (Anjony, foire de la châtaigne de Mourjou, Salers AOP).
Guide
Festivals et événements en Auvergne · Le calendrier complet
Le calendrier des festivals et événements de l'été en Auvergne, mois par mois et par département. Les rendez-vous qui reviennent chaque année, les conseils transport et les bons plans hébergement.
Hikes around La Maison de la Salers
Mountain bikingLa Planèze (mountain bike)
Start: Trizac, place de la Bascule au dessus de la station service du Garage
- 21.8 km
- +544 m
- 3 h 30 min
On footCases de Cotteughes
Start: Parking aménagé des Cases de Cotteughes, Saint-Vincent-de-Salers, 15380
- 6.5 km
- +211 m
- 2 h 15 min
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