Surroundings
Camping
Brénazet
03390 – Vernusse
Département: Allier
The Auvergne
Auvergne is located in the center of France and includes 4 departments: Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme.
The village of Vernusse is located in the extreme south of the department of the Allier, just above the department of Puy-de-Dome, known for its 80 dormant volcanoes. From Vernusse, the countryside hovers more and more towards the Massif Central. From Brénazet you can benefit from what both departments offer.
The Allier is the green heart of France: peaceful villages, Romanesque churches and white Charolais cows grazing in a bocage landscape. The river Allier is one of the most beautiful natural protected areas of France. In the immediate vicinity there are beautiful walks to do, and hiking maps are at your disposal.
Around Brénazet
The nature around Brénazet is omnipresent for the attentive tourist. There is so much to see! When you get up early or go to the forest at sunset, you can cross wild boars.
The nature photographer Bartje Struun was staying in the gypsy caravan in 2016:
“A quiet corner in the centre of France, where it is good to be.
There was a lot to see around the farm! I counted no less than 15 different types of butterflies. I wandered for days, but the first time I found myself in the “hidden valley” in the middle of the forest it did not know its equal – it looked like the animals had never seen a human being. So many butterflies, dragonflies, beaver rats and even a pine marten walking a few feet in front of my feet. “
Going out
Swimming
Rivières
Rivers in the area
Brénazet is located near the Bouble Valley. There is a small beach near the Abbey of Chantelle on the border of the Bouble. The Sioule is about 20 km from Brénazet. You can take a nice drive through the “Gorges” of the Sioule. There are some beaches and kayaks for rent to go down the river.
There are several possibilities for swimming. In Brénazet you will find a list of bathing sites in the area.
It is about 30 km to the river Allier. Very beautiful is the reserve: “Val d’Allier” with a very large variety of birds, including a colony of bee-eaters, different species of birds of prey and herons.
AU FIL D’ALLIER
Forests and Lakes
Forêt Chateau Charles
A large forest 3 km from Brénazet.
Forêt de Colettes
In the “Forêt de Colettes”, 15 km from Brénazet, 700 meters above sea level is the intersection La Bosse. Hidden in the forest, you will find a small lake. The lake is created by excavations in a kaolin extraction area.
The vegetation is very special, for example the sundew. A visit to the museum of minerals “Wolframines” located nearby is interesting to learn more about this region and to see your stones found in the area under the microscope.
Near the museum, you can visit a beautiful climbing park: Acro’Sioule. You will benefit from a 10% discount as a Brénazet customer.
Forêt de Tronçais
An hour away, you join the forest of Tronçais. It is the oldest oak forest in Europe. You can walk there between impressive old trees or have a picnic by a peaceful lake. There is also a large swimming lake with beaches and picnic benches in the shade of the pine trees.
Chateaux Bourbonnais
The Allier is known for its many castles. Vernusse has a fairy tale castle: the Puy Guillon, beautiful to photograph but it is not to visit. Above the beautiful village of Hérisson, there is a castle ruin, recommended for children because in the three towers, eight rooms have been arranged to give a view of the daily life in the Middle Ages.
The castle of Chouvigny on the Sioule and the castle of Billy on the Allier are also to be visited. Veauce is a small village not far from La Bosse and has a special castle. The oldest part dates back to 800 and parts have been added over time. The last baron claimed that the castle was haunted and this brought him a lot of attention for the castle. Open weekends and holidays, in July and August, every day.
Do you want to know how the nobles lived in their Bourbonnais castles? Visit the rural castle: Le Fontariol at Le Theil.
Villages, markets, festivals
Villages of the region
Charroux, 20 km from Brénazet, is one of the “most beautiful villages in France” and is a picturesque, medieval village. Although it is quite touristy, there are not too many people. Beautiful shops such as jam factory, mustard making, candle making, gem store and museum / clock shop. Some restaurants and terraces.
The other nice villages are Verneuil en Bourbonnais, which boasts an authentic village with some restaurants and shops. Saint Pourçain sur Sioule, which has a wine museum and a market on Saturday morning. Bellenave, which has a castle and a market on Wednesday morning. Chantelle, with her beautiful Abbey with shop of beauty products and Sunday morning market. Souvigny, with its Romanesque and Gothic church, the market on Thursday morning, and do not miss the medieval festival from July 27 to August 4, 2019. Gannat has a dinosaur museum and the market is on Wednesday and Saturday morning. From 19 to 28 July 2019 Gannat has its world cultural festival.
Restaurants
Below you will find a carefully composed list, updated in June 2022
Auberge de la Chaumiere, Blomard
Excellent value. Lunch €15 and dinner €21 and €30. Closed Sunday evening, Tuesday evening and Wednesday. Facing the church, 04 7006 68 92
Hostellerie du chateau
Large terrace, very nice restaurant, excellent cuisine, 15 km away, Masha and René, Rue des Fossés, 03330 Bellenave, tel: 04 7058 37 19 Call for timetables and to book.
Au comptoir des Colettes
Bistronomic menu for 35€. Excellent cuisine, local products, closed Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday at noon. 2, route de la Plai, 03330 Coutanzouse, 04 7032 64 68
C’ la Pause
Restaurant with terrace Lunch: €15 closed Sunday evening and Wednesday. Le Bourg 03390 Saint Marcel en Murat 04 7009 21 34
Hotel de France
Local products, menu from €27. Closed Sunday evening and Monday. 1, rue Marx Dormoy, 03390 Montmarrault tel
04 7007 60 26
(Other restaurants in Montmarault: Centrotel, Le Bocage and Fasthôtel)
Le ris Blanc
Open for lunch every day except Wednesday and open on Saturday evening. Lunch 14€. Menu €21 and €30 Le Bourg, 03330 Echassière tel 04 70 90 40 06
Ferme Auberge La Jarge
12 km away, 03390 Beaune d’Allier 04 70 64 37 33 reservation several days in advance, open only on weekends, the meat comes from the farm.
Other restaurants in the pretty little villages that are worth a detour: Chantelle, several restaurants, Lafeline (Au Blé Doré 0470488103), Monestier (Le Prieure de Monestier 0470563296), Verneuil-en-Bourbonnais (L’Imprévu 0470459399), Hérisson et Charroux ( several restaurants).
Diaporama et video
Our pets
Chickens and cats
The hens are free, but during the high season they also stay in the henhouse. You can feed them with leftovers, fruit peels and vegetables, bread in moderation, all in small pieces.
We have 6 cats, three large castrated males: the white cat is called Bonkie, the magnificent long haired sacred Birman is Copain and the red male is called Ginger. Three females: a white cat with a little black, Minoes, her daughter Soefie, a tri-colored cat, and Bibi, the daughter of Soefie, grey and white.
Our dog Elza
Elza is a Border Collie dog crossed Belgian Shepherd. She is sweet and intelligent and she listens very well. We took her out of the SPA in November 2013 when she was almost 1 year old. She cannot be fed by the hosts despite her looks to melt your heart.
Horse and ponies
We have a horse, Rizar (Arab, 2000) and 6 ponies: Gatsby (Welsh, 2016, 1m28), Sonja (Welsh 2014 1m30), Deva (Mountain Welsh, 2013, 1m10), Holly (Welsh, 2017, 1m18 ) and Hindi (part-bred Welsh, 2017, 1m30).
Taking care of the ponies
Children aged 10 and over, confirmed horse riders, are allowed to help Mariken with the ponies: brushing, cleaning stable and field, giving hay etc (always under the direction and responsibility of their parents).
On Monday mornings, children can do pony riding in the paddock. Twice a week, a pony ride in nature can be done under the direction of parents and Mariken.
Confirmed riders and adults can rent Haflingers at La Faye in Vernusse. Tel: 0033 470076975
Slideshow animals
Activities around Brénazet
What our guests say…
Très bon séjour dans un cadre idylique! Les hôtes sont très sympa, arrangeant et aux petits soins. Je recommande chaudement!
Cécile
Un lieu paradisiaque que vos enfants ne voudront plus quitter. Entre poneys, balançoire, vélo et liberté. De belles balades, du calme, une vue magnifique depuis votre terrasse, des hôtes adorables qui ont le souci que votre séjour soit parfait.
Michel
Très beau cadre en pleine campagne. Nous avons reçu un agréable accueil de Mariken et Ron. La ferme est immense et le cadre est très agréable. Les enfants ont été bien accueillis : jeux, animaux, grand espaces !
Anne Laure