Discover Saint-Jacques-Des-Blats

Saint-Jacques-Des-Blats lies at an altitude of around 1,000 metres at the upper end of the Cère Valley. The commune is in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne and on the Grand Site de France du Puy Mary. Part of the Station du Lioran is within the commune. For a stay focused on hiking, the named routes offer specific differences in length, difficulty and route type; there is also a farm visit at the Ferme du Griou and cultural heritage in the village.

Hikes by distance and character

Saint-Jacques-Des-Blats is the starting point for several hiking trails that you can explore on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. For a hike with a specified duration, the marked out-and-back route to the Plomb du Cantal starts from the hamlet of Les Gardes. It is 11 kilometres long, takes five hours and is rated difficult. The trail reaches the 1,855-metre summit of the Cantal volcano. The hike also passes a viewpoint overlooking the Puy Griou.

The marked “Les Boissines” route is described in route data updated in 2021 as a 15.1-kilometre, moderate circular route from Place de l'Église to the summit of the Puy Griou. In direct comparison, this longer, moderately difficult loop contrasts with a shorter, difficult out-and-back route with a specified duration of five hours.

Another option is the Boucle des hauts de Saint Jacques. It leads to the Bouguette viewpoint, where there is an orientation table and views extend to the Plomb du Cantal, the Bec de l'Aigle and the Puy Griou. The routes therefore differ not only in route type and difficulty, but also in the viewpoints they lead to.

Ferme du Griou and regional products

Visits to the Ferme du Griou explain how Cantal cheese is made; reservations are required. The farm processes 95 percent of its milk production into farm-made AOP Cantal and other farm-made dairy products. These include Tome fraîche, fromage blanc, fromage frais à tartiner, faisselles and raw milk. If you would like to include regional food in your travel plans as well as hiking, a visit to the farm offers a different focus. Be sure to make the required reservation.

Church and historical heritage

The Church of Saint Jacques was restored and extended in the 19th century and is in the Neo-Gothic style. Its entrance hall contains a permanent exhibition about the village's connections with Saint-Jacques de Compostelle. It is part of stage 4 of the Via Arverna. Another historical feature is the former cemetery cross of Saint-Jacques-Des-Blats. It dates from the late 16th or early 17th century and is made of volcanic rock. Alongside the trails and landscape, the church, exhibition and cross give your stay a cultural dimension.

Planning your trip

Bus and coach routes pass through Saint-Jacques-Des-Blats year-round. If you plan to travel on one of these routes, check the regional transport service's timetable in advance.

Discover more destinations: Le Lioran, Montsalvy, Lavastrie, Pleaux, Sansac-Veinazès, Chalinargues, Méallet, Marcenat.

For the broader travel overview: Cantal.