Our take
Salty springs tapped as early as the 19th century to petrify objects, seaside flora in the heart of the Limagne and a well bubbling with carbon dioxide: all free to access, on a site included in the Natura 2000 network.
Salty springs that cover everything in stone: at Gimeaux, a travertine rock and a boiling well await you along a 2 km loop.
At Gimeaux, the water does something astonishing: it builds stone. The village's salty springs patiently deposit travertine, to the point of having built a big rock at the edge of Avenue de la Libération. As early as the 19th century, these springs were tapped so that objects could be petrified in them.
To see it all, follow the Puits qui bout trail (the “boiling well” trail): an easy 2 km loop, waymarked with light blue squares, starting at the foot of the travertine rock. Allow 45 minutes, doable with children.
On the way, stop at the famous well: its water comes out at 25.5°C, bubbles with carbon dioxide and turns red on contact with the air, because of the iron. Around it, the salt lets seaside plants grow, right in the Limagne. The site is protected, stay on the path.
Why we love it
- The travertine rock built by the springs, now cut into by the road
- The Puits qui bout, whose water comes out at 25.5°C and turns red on contact with the air
- Springs tapped as early as the 19th century to petrify objects
- Seaside flora growing in the heart of the Limagne, because of the salt
Top tip
Do as the locals do: they regularly come to collect the mineral water from the spring on Avenue de la Libération, near the town hall. Bring a bottle to taste it.
Before you go
- In June, for the flora of the salty springs. The 45-minute loop can be done all year round.
- The Puits qui bout trail starts at the foot of the travertine rock: a 2 km loop waymarked with light blue squares, 45 minutes, doable with children.
- The site is protected, stay on the path. A grating also protects the spring outlet of the boiling well, for the safety of the public.
- Take an empty bottle if you want to taste the water from the spring on Avenue de la Libération, near the town hall.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
17°/7°
2 mm · 38 km/h
Tomorrow
14°/5°
dry · 8 km/h
Tue 27
22°/9°
0 mm · 18 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
- X33V+CP, 63200 Gimeaux, France
63200 Gimeaux - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 5 reviews on Google Maps.
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Around Gimeaux petrifying springs
Enough to build your day around this address.
Where to eat close by
€€Bistrot La Potée
4.4Châtel-Guyon · 4.4 km away
€€L'Envolée
4.6Riom · 6.0 km away
€€Augustine Bistronomie 1890
4.8Riom · 6.9 km away
Where to stay nearby
A hike nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Mountain bikingThe Veygoux loop (mountain bike)
Start: Manoir de Veygoux, Charbonnières-les-Varennes
- 10.1 km
- +174 m
- 2 h
Hikes around Gimeaux petrifying springs
Mountain bikingThe Veygoux loop (mountain bike)
Start: Manoir de Veygoux, Charbonnières-les-Varennes
- 10.1 km
- +174 m
- 2 h
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