Our take
One of the few salty springs in Auvergne: the salt-laden water lets coastal plants grow on the bank of the Allier, a long way from the sea. All free to access, on a laid-out discovery trail.
Two salty, sparkling springs beside the Allier, with seaside flora in the middle of the Puy-de-Dôme. A free trail, open to all.
Seaside plants in the middle of the Puy-de-Dôme: that is the curiosity of the Saladis. On the bank of the Allier, two salty, sparkling springs rise from the depths. You will see the Grand Saladis, a small pond that bubbles, and the Petit Saladis, a channelled resurgence.
Salt changes everything. Around the water, coastal plants grow, led by sea milkwort and sea plantain. A Natura 2000 site: stay on the laid-out paths.
A discovery trail, laid out in 2024, starts from the car park on Rue des Graviers, with information boards along the way. Legend has it that the Romans treated their horses here during the siege of Gergovia. The water is not safe to drink and bathing is not allowed: here, you observe.
Why we love it
- The Grand Saladis, a pond a few metres across that bubbles with gas
- The Petit Saladis right next to it, a channelled resurgence
- Seaside flora in the middle of the Puy-de-Dôme: sea milkwort, sea plantain, greater sea-spurrey
- The Allier flowing a few steps from the springs
Top tip
Extend the walk along the path: the Rocs Bleus springs are about 500 metres away, and the Font de Bleix is next to the neighbouring campsite. Three mineral curiosities in the same outing.
Before you go
- In spring, when the salt-meadow flora starts up again and the meander of the Allier turns green.
- The trail starts from the car park on Rue des Graviers, free and open to all. Vehicles must stay in the parking areas.
- The water is not safe to drink and bathing is not allowed: here, you observe, you don't dip anything in.
- Do not leave the laid-out paths: that is what protects the salt-loving flora of this Natura 2000 site.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
18°/5°
dry · 28 km/h
Tomorrow
16°/4°
dry · 13 km/h
Tue 27
23°/9°
dry · 20 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
- Sources des Saladis, 63730 Les Martres-de-Veyre, France
63730 Les Martres-de-Veyre
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Around Saladis salt springs
Enough to build your day around this address.
Worth seeing nearby
Sources de Sainte-Marguerite
4.3Saint-Maurice · a 5-minute walk away
€Château de Busséol
4.2Busséol · 4.0 km away
Montpeyroux
Montpeyroux · 5.5 km away
Écopôle du Val d'Allier
4.4Pérignat-sur-Allier · 5.7 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On footPérignat-ès-Allier, Landscapes marked by an ancient and medieval past
Start: Pérignat-ès-Allier
- 7.9 km
- +66 m
- 2 h 30 min
On footHikes around Saladis salt springs
On footPérignat-ès-Allier, Landscapes marked by an ancient and medieval past
Start: Pérignat-ès-Allier
- 7.9 km
- +66 m
- 2 h 30 min
On foot
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