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Ambert

Visit Ambert (Auvergne, France)

Ambert is in the Puy-de-Dome department, in eastern Auvergne. The quiet, pleasant town is within the attractive surroundings of the Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez.

There is a small historic centre in the town which has some colombage houses and other buildings of interest, and is well placed for exploring the villages, hamlets and local countryside.

While strolling around the town note in particular the 15th century gothic style Church of Saint-Jean (I was told later it is possible to go up the belltower for lovely views but didn't realise it was possible at the time...). The mairie in the town is also of interest - a round building that was formerly the town grain hall.

Take a stroll also in the well mantained park in the centre of Ambert.

Ambert Museums and traditions

For many centuries the town was the French centre for paper-making, with the high point for the industry during the renaissance. There is a museum in the town to commemorate this history. There is also an active paper mill where visitors are welcome (you will come across other paper mills as you explore the surrounding countryside).

The second museum in the town, the Maison de la Fourme d’Ambert, is dedicated to the longstanding tradition of cheesemaking - the Fourme d'Ambert. Ambert is a 'classified AOC' cheese - be sure to try it!

A third museum, the Musée de la Machine Agricole et à Vapeur, is devoted to the local agricultural and industrial heritage of Ambert and features a collection of tractors and steam engines.

Around Ambert

The region is usually visited for the surrounding landscapes of hills, pastures and woodlands, unspoiled and ideal for walking and cycling on the quiet roads. Several waymarked paths are suggested by the local tourist office to help you make the most of your visit, including a walk along the banks of the River Dore and an interesting trail that passes some of the local paper mills.

Many of the local villages are of interest, and many have small historical centres, traditional churches (such as Champetières, Marsac-en-Livradois, Grandrif) or small local museums (Saint-Martin-des-Olmes), or are in particularly lovely surroundings (eg Saint-Just, Valcivières, Saint-Ferréol-des-Cotes and Job). The individual villages don't take long to explore but a day or two touring the area is recommended, incorporating a picnic or two or a visit to a local restaurant, and visiting a couple of the local workshops that are open to the public.

There is also a small tourist train that passes through the surrounding countryside of the Livradois-Forez region leaving from Ambert (summer only).

Friends with children recommended a visit to the animal park at Bouy, where children can come into close contact with small animals (goats, pigs, rabbits etc)

Photos taken within 10 km

Tourist classifications for Ambert

Ambert is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)

Address: Ambert, Puy-de-Dome, Auvergne, 63600 || GPS: latitude 45.55, longitude 3.7425

Map of Ambert & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Issoire 38km; Lavaudieu 39km; Brioude 40km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Ambert.
See Auvergne and Puy-de-Dome (the region and department for Ambert) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Ambert, France

• Col des Pradeaux - site of natural beauty (8km)
• Livradois-Forez - regional natural parc (10km)
• Jardin de l’écomusée - remarkable garden (24km)
• Aulteribe Chateau - national monument (31km)
• Usson - most beautiful village (31km)
• Eglise de Notre Dame de Mailhat (Lamontgie) - religious monument (33km)
• Thiers - secteur sauvegarde (37km)
• Eglise de Saint Austremoine d'Issoire (Issoire) - religious monument (38km)
• Jardins du château d'Hauterive - remarkable garden (38km)
• Issoire - recommended detour (38km)

Market days in Ambert: Regular market(s) are held in Ambert each Thursday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Ambert (Francais)