"My countryside" Craponne-sur-Arzon by kokoryko

Craponne-sur-Arzon Travel Guide: 18 reviews and 75 photos

1000 years old

Craponne sur Arzon is a little village located in the North of the Haute Loire departement, on a 900_1000 m elevated plateau, very quiet, specially in winter, but in summer, many things can be done around.
This village which celabrated its 1000 years in 1990 counts 2700 inhabitants. Some picturesque narrow streets and a few buildings deserve a visit, but it is the countryside which is so beautiful here and big forests, fields, meadows, small villages are for me the most interesting features of this village, and hiking or biking around is just great ( I do not tell about horse riding, but I meet often horse riders when walking). It is a rural area where the agriculture is very dynamic, specially for a mountain village and lots of “real” food is on display on the weekly market (Saturday).
Of interest are also festivals or fetes, which are organised in the village:
Country music festival in summer
Fete or Kermes during the week of the 15th of August
Potato festival (yes!)

I am not a tourist here

Craponne (the origin of the name is from the occitan “crap” (rock) and "onna" (outseeping water) is located in the Parc Naturel Regional du Livradois Forez , and I give some more general information in the 2 general tips.
You may notice I tell a bit about food in these pages, I think food is part of culture and is really something to discover when I travel; I love to discover tastes and ways of eating everywhere and here I share some thoughts and examples of traditional food and agricultural products you find in the area; there is lots more, and I will update when I try new things here, where I am not really a “tourist”.

Nature

Amanita muscaria

As Craponne is located in Auvergne, I add this link here; I have put general info in that page, in order to write it once and not for every place I may describe.
I will write travellogues also on Auvergne and some will have links with Craponne.

I recently found one of my pictures somewhere on the web where it has nothing to do.
It arrived there without permission.
My pictures are far from being works of art, but be kind and ask if you want to use.
Unless otherwise marked, I am the author of the pictures.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Countryside
Cons:nothing
In a nutshell:Enjoy simple life!

Intro Updated Jan 19, 2007
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Reviews (18)

Carcan at La Fayolle - Craponne-sur-Arzon

The carcans Local Customs (8)

Guess what this is ? it is a “carcan”, a device where you tie the ox inside, put flat ropes under its belly and pull it... more travel advice

Carts at the Kermes - Craponne-sur-Arzon

Kermes Local Customs (8)

Around the 15th of August you can enjoy the kermes in Craponne. lots of amusement rides are installed in the village and... more travel advice

The butcheries (what a tourist tip ! ! ) Local Customs (8)

Craponne is located in the middle of a traditional cattle farming area and the meat here is very well known; there are a... more travel advice

Salers cow, isn't she nice? - Craponne-sur-Arzon

Probably the best beef of the world . .... Local Customs (8)

I tell of beef, not beer, hahaha Cheese, potatoes, now meat. You may have noticed that the area is green a almost... more travel advice

Things to Do (9)
See All Village chapels

Favorites (1)
What is a "Parc Naturel Régional"?

Comments (9)

lynnehamman Sep 12, 2009 at 7:51 PM Report Abuse

Inyteresting page, Hermann.Pity that they do not do more restoration here. The potato festival looks nice- but, being vegetarian- I would HATE the butcheries! good photos.My daughter is visiting France next week.
nickandchris Nov 26, 2007 at 6:26 AM Report Abuse

You have certainly sold this area to me!!!! France has so many beautiful old towns. I truly wish we could buy really decent French cheese here. It's mainly pasteurized....
pepples46 Dec 22, 2006 at 8:46 PM Report Abuse

its a lovely old village Hermann, but only half that from my old village :-)) as I always say, roots is everything. thanks for sharing and have a wonderful and merry christmas..and a happy 2007, best Waltraud
robertgaz Nov 30, 2006 at 11:14 PM Report Abuse

No need to aplogise for foods that don't meet European or US hygienic rules where many foods have become sterile in more ways than one... great insights into village life :~)
Kuznetsov_Sergey Nov 28, 2006 at 11:24 PM Report Abuse

A very nice page, Hermann! Particulary customs tips! Potato brotherhood impresses. Salers cow is vey nice. Yoy've done great work and showed a good example how make pages about little villages like Craponne. Thanks for sharing!
unravelau Nov 28, 2006 at 8:29 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for drawing my attention to here Hermann, you have made a magnificent page. I have seen all of those things that I enjoy seeing, told me about all of those things I like to hear and photographed the lot in very pleasing ways. Wonderful
tiabunna Nov 28, 2006 at 6:13 PM Report Abuse

La voyage sur le train vieux sera magnifique – et la fête des truffades! Mmmm. J’aime aussi les boueufs et les batiments vieux. Une page superbe, Hermann.
TheWanderingCamel Nov 28, 2006 at 2:41 PM Report Abuse

Nice page, thanks for sending it... and greetings from Easter Island, a place I will leave with more questions in my mind than I came with. Extraordinary! leyle
Nemorino Nov 28, 2006 at 2:11 PM Report Abuse

Yes, this is a fine page, with lots of good photos to click on. Too bad the SNCF closed the railway, but hurrah for the Chemin de Fer du Haut Forez. Great that they have a potato festival! And that some of the old carcans are still there to look at.