Accommodation - where to stay(1)? Super Lioran,Mandailles,St.Jacques des Blats

A glance at the topographical map of the Cantal suggests the obvious choices for being in the heart of the area are Super Lioran, Mandailles and St.Jacques des Blats. Other slightly more outlying villages worth considering are Murat, Thiézac, Le Falgoux and Laveissière (in the Alagnon valley between Le Lioran and Murat).

An assumption made is that the ideal walking centre allows a number of walks not needing the use of a car. For walkers arriving by train this is essential. The three main villages (Super Lioran, Mandailles and St.Jacques) are all ideally suited for not needing daily use of a car. The three outlying villages are not as well suited but 2/3 days walking from the village without a car is still possible.

Super Lioran is a village specially created for the winter sports activities of the area. As such it is largely shut down in the spring/summer/autumn months but suffers a heavy influx of visitors, particularly at weekends, because it is the terminus for the cable-car to the top of Plomb du Cantal. Much of Super Lioran is private chalet blocks which are used sparingly in the non-winter months. If this type of "resort" village is for you then Super Lioran is a fair place to stay. It does not have the character or peacefulness of the other villages and access from the RN122 is a little tortuous. (For hotels, see Cantal Hotels listing).

Mandailles and its nearby neighbour St.Julien enjoy a superb position in the high Jordanne valley. Four of the major peaks of the area (Puy Mary, Puy Peyre-Arse, Puy Griou and Puy Chavaroche) overlook, and can all be climbed from, the villages . Hotel accommodation is limited and the villages are on a minor road with sometimes difficult access from the north. For a fixed base walking holiday Mandailles is a good choice if you will be happy with the inferior access compared to other villages. (For hotels, see Cantal Hotels listing).

St.Jacques is a village in the high Cère valley and straddles the main road of the area, the RN122. It supports the winter sports activities of Super Lioran by providing significant hotel accommodation (six hotels!). It sits under both Puy Griou and Plomb du Cantal with the possibility of walking from the village to a number of other important peaks. Because of the excellent hotel facilities and very good access (including excellent road access via the D317 to the Jordanne valley) it is an excellent choice as a base for both walking and visiting the other attractions of the Cantal. With Mandailles, St.Jacques can genuinely claim to be the "Heart of the Cantal". (For hotels, see Cantal Hotels listing).