Best attractions and places to see around Lanobre are found in the Cantal department of France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This area is characterized by a harmonious relief of basins and hills, alternating prairies, forests, and clear lakes. The Dordogne River and the Lac de Bort-les-Orgues define its western border, while the Tarentaine River marks its eastern side. Lanobre offers a blend of historical landmarks and natural landscapes.
Last updated: May 11, 2026
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The castle, which once dominated the Dordogne valley from a rocky outcrop, has stood since 1952 on a headland that juts out into the Barrage de Bort-les-Orgues reservoir. The original character of the castle can only be guessed at when the water level is low. The multi-storey building is surrounded by five towers of roughly the same thickness and one thinner one, each with overhangs and conical roofs. The individual floors are connected by a spiral staircase in the vestibule. The inner courtyard was originally roofless. The first floor consists of three large rooms with decorated fireplaces from the mid-19th century and various furniture. An art exhibition with works by painters, mostly from the region, takes place every year on the second floor. The artistically crafted roof trusses of the towers can be seen from the battlement on the top floor. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Val
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Wikipedia has information about the dam: FR: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrage_de_Bort-les-Orgues DE: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrage_de_Bort-les-Orgues
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The municipality of Bort-les-Orgues has around 2500 inhabitants and is located in the Dordogne valley. Bort is the name of a ford with a steep slope. The name les Orgues (the organ pipes) is given by a striking rock formation above the town.[
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The Bort dam is a structure 120 meters high and 390 meters long, straddling the municipalities of Bort and Lanobre, and creating a reservoir of more than 10 km2. Built between 1942 and 1952, it was then a veritable concrete juggernaut and today it remains one of the largest dams in France (and still the third in mainland France if we look at the quantity of water retained by a concrete construction). It is also the first and largest reservoir in the hydroelectric system of the Dordogne valley.
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If you want to enjoy stunning views of the village of Saint-Genès-Champespe and its surroundings, you can hike up to the Saint-Sébastien church, which is perched on a hill overlooking the village. Built in 1907, the church is decorated with a bronze sculpture of a Salers cow, a local breed. From the church you can enjoy a panoramic view of the forests, lakes and mountains of the Auvergne region. You can also see Lake Laspialade and Lake Crégut, two magnificent lakes. It is an ideal place to admire the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Saint-Genès-Champespe.
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The Bort dam is a structure 120m high and 390m long, straddling the municipalities of Bort and Lanobre, and creating a reservoir of more than 10 km2. Built between 1942 and 1952, it was then a veritable behemoth of concrete and it remains today one of the largest dams in France (and even still the third largest in mainland France if we look at the quantity of water retained by a construction of concrete). It is also the first and largest reservoir of the hydroelectric system in the Dordogne valley.
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Lac de la Crégut is the largest natural lake of glacial origin in the Massif Central. From its banks, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Monts du Cantal and the surrounding lakes. It is now part of a whole system of reservoirs that supply water to the Rhue hydroelectric power station, at the Bort dam.
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Lanobre and its surroundings are rich in history. A must-see is Val Castle, a 13th-century medieval castle beautifully situated on the edge of the Lac de Bort-les-Orgues. It hosts painting exhibitions and concerts. You can also visit the 12th-century Romanesque Eglise Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur, known for its sculpted capitals, or the impressive Bort-les-Orgues Dam, one of France's largest, which created the vast lake.
The region boasts stunning natural beauty. The vast Lac de Bort-les-Orgues, formed by the dam, is a central feature, ideal for water sports and scenic views. You can also explore the View over Bort-les-Orgues, a natural monument with cliffs resembling giant organ pipes. The Dordogne and Tarentaine Rivers border the area, and the Artense region, part of the Regional Natural Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne, offers a harmonious landscape of lakes, forests, and prairies. Don't miss Lac de la Crégut, the largest natural glacial lake in the Massif Central, offering magnificent views.
Absolutely! For breathtaking views, visit View over Bort-les-Orgues, which offers an excellent observatory point over the area. Another great spot is Saint-Genès-Champespe, where from the church, you can enjoy panoramic views of the forests, lakes, and mountains of the Auvergne region, including Lake Laspialade and Lake Crégut. The Lac de la Crégut itself provides magnificent views of the Monts du Cantal.
Lanobre is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The Lac de Bort-les-Orgues is perfect for water sports like waterskiing and wakeboarding, with schools and rental services available. There's also an aqualudic base and a developed beach. The region is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, with many circuits starting directly from Lanobre. You can find various routes for cycling, running, and road cycling in the area. For more details on routes, check out the Cycling around Lanobre, Running Trails around Lanobre, and Road Cycling Routes around Lanobre guides.
Yes, Lanobre offers several family-friendly options. The Lac de Bort-les-Orgues has an aqualudic base with inflatable structures and a beach for swimming and sunbathing. For adventure, Val Aventure provides an acrobatic tree-top course, including a 1 km zip line. Many communal spaces in Lanobre are equipped with children's playgrounds, multi-sport fields, and skate parks. Carriage rides with Attelages de l'Artense offer a unique way to explore the nature. Additionally, Lac de la Crégut is noted as family-friendly.
The area around Lanobre offers numerous trails for hiking, catering to various difficulty levels. You can find routes that take you through forests, along lakeshores, and up to scenic viewpoints. For example, there are running trails like the 'Siauve Beach – Château Val in the Bort Reservoir loop' which is moderate, or more challenging ones like the 'Val Castle – Bort-les-Orgues Dam loop'. Many trails start directly from Lanobre. For detailed hiking routes, refer to the Running Trails around Lanobre guide.
Yes, panoramic boat tours are available on the Lac de Bort-les-Orgues. These tours offer unique views of the impressive Bort-les-Orgues Dam and the beautiful surrounding landscapes, providing a different perspective of the region's natural and man-made wonders.
The region's climate is generally favorable for outdoor activities from spring through autumn. The summer months are ideal for water sports on the Lac de Bort-les-Orgues and enjoying the developed beaches. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for hiking, cycling, and exploring the natural landscapes, with vibrant foliage in the fall. While specific weather patterns vary, these seasons generally provide the best conditions for enjoying Lanobre's diverse outdoor offerings.
While in the area, you can explore local markets in nearby towns for regional products and a taste of local life. Bort-les-Orgues (5km away) has markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Ussel (21km away) on Saturdays, and Mont-Dore (26km away) on Fridays. For a cultural insight, the Maison du Miel et des Plantes (House of Honey and Plants) in Beaulieu (3 km from Lanobre) offers information on honey production and local flora.
Visitors particularly appreciate the blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The majestic Val Castle, with its unique setting on the lake, is highly praised for its beauty and history. The stunning panoramic views from spots like View over Bort-les-Orgues and Saint-Genès-Champespe are also a big draw. The diverse outdoor activities, especially around the Lac de Bort-les-Orgues, and the serene landscapes of the Artense region, contribute to a highly enjoyable experience for many.
Yes, the area around Lanobre offers a variety of cycling routes, from moderate to difficult, catering to different skill levels. For instance, you can find moderate road cycling routes like the 'Saint-Genès-Champespe – Lac de la Crégut loop' or more challenging touring bicycle routes such as the 'Bagnols – La Tour d’Auvergne Center loop'. These routes take you through diverse landscapes, including along lakes and through the Auvergne region. For detailed routes and their difficulty, consult the Cycling around Lanobre and Road Cycling Routes around Lanobre guides.


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