With its natural wealth, its relief of Auvergne and its human adventures, the Livradois-Forez is dotted with farms. The vacation of your little treasures is now: then choose an educational and fulfilling activity for them. A farm to visit in Auvergne… What could be better for a little boy or girl who also spends a lot of time in a classroom? In a farm of this green lung of Auvergne you spend moments of sharing and tastings. For their greatest happiness, and also for yours.

Livradois-Forez and its 2000 agricultural producers

Farm to visit in Auvergne Child in the middle of a flock of sheep on a farm in Livradois-Forez.

The Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park is a territory in which nearly 2000 agricultural producers. Local and natural productions are numerous. Thus, beef, pork and sheep meat rub shoulders with cow's, goat's and sheep's milk. There are also poultry, eggs, cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables… As well as very different operating systems. For direct sale, for sale to the food industry, organic, conventional… The agricultural landscape is varied in Livradois-Forez!

Among these multiple models, some farms have chosen to welcome visitors. Because they make it a complementary activity, such as on the occasion of open days, scheduled visits, opportunities for live sales… Could because they are tourist service providers, such as a educational farm, or a farm offering horseback riding.

Why Livradois-Forez for a farm to visit in Auvergne?

Let's get to the heart of the matter! A visit to the farm in Livradois-Forez allows children to discover and understand how agricultural producers work. But it is also a privileged moment to go meet animals too often glimpsed but never really approached. It has been proven that the company of animals, their proximity, boosts the immune defences, creates social ties and more: it promotes the good psychological development of young children.

Farm to visit in Auvergne Cows in the barn on a farm in Livradois-Forez.

Finally, this immersion time is an excellent way to become familiar with the world around us. Observing the rhythms of the seasons, apprehending the relationship between the farmer and his animals and the many gestures and tasks that punctuate a day... All these moments are rich in lessons. A visit to the farm is both a learning lesson and a pleasure. For a better understanding of the world in which we live and to create a true attachment to Nature.

Where to find a farm to visit in Auvergne?

The educational farms of Livradois-Forez

Establishments are moving more towards an educational approach to the discovery of animals. Thus, the educational farms of Livradois-Forez offers visits to present the way of life and the environment of the animals living on site. To the flower meadow farm, you spend a convivial moment in the company of horses. You can also take a hitch ride on the surrounding paths. On the side of the Livradois mountains, the Pradis horse farm offers, of course, horseback riding, but also a very educational approach to the world of breeding. For an hour or two, in the company of the donkey Capucine, Delphine makes the presentation of the horses of Montcodiol. For sure, your kids will have a great time.

Gourmet farms to taste cheese

For gourmets and gourmets, for young and old, farms have a much more gastronomic vocation. Holidays are also an opportunity to celebrate with your taste buds. For example, at the farm Roziers in Lezoux, you visit around fifty “Prim’ Holstein cross Montbéliarde” cows and you can taste succulent cheeses made with organic milk. Discover all the facets of fourme and cow tomme. In Doranges, two red fruit producers offer you lots of sweet and fruity treats. Garnasson farm.

Auvergne cheese

But also farms where you spend a night: farm cottages

After a day of sightseeing, a nice afternoon of hiking or a snack in front of a flowery meadow in Livradois-Forez, nothing beats a restful night in a peaceful gîte. Owners open the doors of cocooning rooms where the rooster from the corner side by side in the morning. In Aubusson-d'Auvergne for example, Le Goutilier campsite gives you a piece of land to pitch your tent. On the Brousse side, the Gîtes d'Hélio-ferme have been renovated in keeping with their traditional character. You are necessarily out of place in Livradois-Forez.

Farm to visit in Auvergne Child and farmer milking cows on a farm in Livradois-Forez

To go further: a terroir that adapts to changes

Today a breeding ground characterized by an abundance of meadows (90% of agricultural land) in the middle of a territory of mountains and forests, the Livradois-Forez works on its balance.

If peasant common sense seems to prevail again, revived by environmental questions that have become urgent, it is coupled with real reflection on the part of farmers. The observed climate changes, their impact on the land, encourage farmers to return to old practices. If we are once again looking for production diversity, food self-sufficiency through food crops, we need larger farms to ensure their sustainability. A delicate exercise when the demand for grassland is growing.

In response to current demand, producers are also working on the development of short circuits (producer stores, AMAP, local product sections in grocery stores, etc.), without however neglecting the sale of surpluses. Here again, it is a question of finding a balance between these two constraints, in accordance with the needs of the territory. How to export? Produce what is missing? Consuming “locally”? These are all challenges that the Regional Nature Park strives to meet hand in hand with farmers. We then speak of respect for resources, biodiversity and sustainable management. Mindsets are changing. Changes are taking place, step by step. And it's a whole territory that changes with its farmers.