Our take
Salty, iron-rich, naturally sparkling water that sustains seaside plants in the middle of the Puy-de-Dôme, and a basin where 67 Roman coins were found. Few springs pile up so many stories.
A red, salty and naturally sparkling spring in the woods above Boudes. The Romans were already leaving their coins there.
A basin of red water that sparkles all by itself in the shade of the woods, above Boudes. The iron gives it its rust colour, the carbon dioxide makes it bubble, and its salty water lets seaside plants grow, right in the Puy-de-Dôme.
The name is no marketing pitch: in 1882, 67 Roman coins were found at the bottom of the original basin, one of them bearing the likeness of Emperor Domitian. People were already coming here to leave their offerings 2,000 years ago.
You get there by the Vallée des Saints loop from Boudes, or in a few minutes from the hamlet of Bard. The site is Natura 2000-listed: stay on the path, the basin is viewed from behind its barriers.
Why we love it
- Rust-coloured water bubbling all by itself in the basin
- Seaside plants growing in the middle of the Puy-de-Dôme, because of the salt
- The 67 Roman coins found at the bottom in 1882, one of them with the likeness of Domitian
- The fairy chimneys and red earth of the Vallée des Saints, right next door
Top tip
Combine the visit with the Vallée des Saints loop: fairy chimneys and red earth worthy of a western, with the spring on the route. Bring proper shoes, it climbs in places.
Before you go
- In June, when the seaside flora around the spring is at its best.
- Two ways to climb up: the long one, by the Vallée des Saints loop from Boudes; the short one, a few minutes' walk from the hamlet of Bard.
- The site is Natura 2000-listed: stay on the path, and the basin is viewed from behind its barriers.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
17°/6°
dry · 31 km/h
Tomorrow
15°/4°
dry · 9 km/h
Tue 27
23°/11°
dry · 16 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- 63340 Boudes, France
63340 Boudes
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Around Roman spring of Bard
2 spots in and around Boudes, enough to build your day.
Worth seeing nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Cycling
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