Haute-Loire in summer
The peak season. Swimmable lakes (Aydat, Chambon, the Allier beaches), festivals in every village, night markets on Wednesdays in Murol and Salers. Book 2 to 3 months ahead for the centre of the tourist towns.
Weather
Mild to hot (25-30°C in the lowlands, 18-22°C at altitude). Late-afternoon storms in July-August.
The département in brief
Volcanoes, pilgrimage and green lentils: Haute-Loire will surprise you.
⚠️ Good to know: Avoid hikes with no shade between 11am and 4pm in high summer (heatwave). Head for altitude (Mont-Dore, Cézallier) if Clermont forecasts > 35°C.
The essentials
Not to miss in summer
A seasonal selection across the whole of Auvergne. For our addresses in Haute-Loire, see below.
- Europavox in Clermont-Ferrand (late June)
- Aurillac Festival, street theatre (late August)
- La Chaise-Dieu Festival, classical music (second half of August)
- Lifeguarded swimming at Lac d'Aydat or Lac Chambon (Blue Flag)
- Night market in Murol on Wednesdays, Besse on Mondays
- Sunset on the Puy de Dôme or the Puy Mary
- Walk round Lac Pavin (one hour, flat path, emerald water)
- Sleep in a treehouse, a bubble or a yurt (book 2-3 months ahead)
Haute-Loire
12 places to discover
Editorial selection in Haute-Loire, to filter by what you fancy this season.
Le Puy Cathedral
4.7Le Puy-en-Velay · Haute-Loire
4550 reviews
Cascade de la Beaume
4.8Solignac-sur-Loire · Haute-Loire
1049 reviews
Montgolfière & Découvertes
5.0Le Puy-en-Velay · Haute-Loire
370 reviews
Statue de Notre-Dame de France
4.6Le Puy-en-Velay · Haute-Loire
2066 reviews
Auberge Lou Pinatou
4.8Solignac-sous-Roche · Haute-Loire
873 reviews
Lac du Bouchet
4.7Cayres · Haute-Loire
830 reviews
Passerelle des Gorges du Lignon
4.6Saint-Maurice-de-Lignon · Haute-Loire
1577 reviews
Mont Mézenc
4.8Les Estables · Haute-Loire
396 reviews
Gorges de l'Allier
4.8Prades · Haute-Loire
131 reviews
Le Pré Bossu, Hostellerie
4.7Moudeyres · Haute-Loire
212 reviews
Camping Le Vieux Moulin
4.8Siaugues-Sainte-Marie · Haute-Loire
54 reviews
Pic du Lizieux
4.8Araules · Haute-Loire
50 reviews