Picherande is Europe's gentian capital, with around 400 Picheranders living in the village year-round.

At the foot of the Sancy mountain range, the village enjoys a unique view of the massif's southern slopes. Just 10 minutes from the foot of the Superbesse downhill ski slopes, ideal for an authentic mountain experience.

Here are just a few of the places we tried out.

Shops

• 2 ski rental companies / ski pass sales Rouchon Sports & Cap Sancy

for fans of skiing and other mountain sports, there are two shops less than 10 minutes' walk from the house. Ski and sled rentals, fishing equipment... and a boutique selling all brands of outdoor clothing for your pleasure.

• station Service / Grocery / Hardware AJ du Sancy
  at the western entrance to the village, here's a place where you can stock up all year round. It's a veritable Ali Baba's cave, with Alain's grocery store stocked with all regional and international products, plus a hardware section (bolts, screws, boots, farming equipment)
  
  
• Tabac Presse office / souvenirs Mme Guittard
  for fans of the daily press, you'll find what you're looking for! The local newspaper is called "La Montagne". There's also a selection of souvenirs for young and old.
  
  
• Boucherie/Charcuterie Mr & Mme Faure
  you'll enjoy quality local meats for your summer barbecues, or charcuterie for your picnics on the slopes. A catering section where you can order tomatoes and stuffed cabbage, genuine traditional dishes from the region.
  
  
• Bakery
  to enhance your breakfasts with viennoiseries and other delicacies, this is the perfect place to start the day; don't wake up too late if you want to have a choice!
  
  
• Brasserie Gaïa (local beer)
  THE beer of the village and the Massif, a must-try with something for every taste
  
  
• La Ferme de Ravel
  a must for fans of Saint-Nectaire or fresh tome cheese, just a stone's throw from the village by bike or car!
  

Gastronomy

• Crêperie Chez La Jeanne
  Valérie welcomes you only in the afternoon to her family-run establishment at the western entrance to the village. A veritable institution on the massif, the "pompes", as they're called here, are made with Saint-Nectaire whey; we recommend that you accompany them with jam, and you'll have the pleasure of having a whole tray with a dozen homemade jams.
  
  There's no better way to share a snack with friends or family, to eat in or take away!
  
  
• Auberge du Taraffet
  THE truffle not to be missed in the hamlet of Chareire! A typical Auvergne inn, Emilie and her team will give you a warm welcome in winter and summer alike. Remember to reserve your dishes at least 48 hours in advance.
  
  Special mention if you can enjoy a summer lunch in the small meadow behind the inn
  
  
• Bar/Restaurant l'Ecir
  for lunch on weekdays, Ginette will serve you her dishes according to her daily tastes (truffade, blanquette, lasagne, poulet roti ...) in a very local family atmosphere
  
  

Activities

• Downhill skiing 10 minutes away (Superbesse)
  access to the slopes is quick and easy from Picherande, with the road over the Col de la Geneste taking you directly to the parking lot at the foot of the slopes
  
  
• Cross-countryskiing (winter and summer on wheels)
  there are cross-country ski trails starting from Lac de Gayme at the top of the village, and also from Chareire, a small hamlet 1.5km from the house.
  
  
• Ski touring on the southern slopes of the Sancy
  if you're not used to it, we advise you to contact a professional who will accompany you on this adventure on the pristine slopes of the Sancy
  
  
• Snowshoeing
  like cross-country skiing, depart from the village, or from Chareire.
  
  
• Hiking
  the famous GR30 (tour of the Auvergne lakes) passes in front of the house. You'll be lucky to have many hiking trails close to the village: the glacial valley of the fontaine salée, the puy du Sancy, the Chaudefour valley, and many others...
  
  
• MOUNTAIN BIKING
  numerous mountain bike trails also start from the Chareire site.
  Numerous walks around the local lakes
  
  What better way to enjoy a leisurely stroll than around Lac de Gayme, just a 10-minute walk from the house
  
  another famous lake in the commune is Lac de Chauvet, reputed to have welcomed various Presidents of the Republic for lunches in the janitor's house.
  
  For further information, visit https://www.picherande.fr/ or https://www.sancy.com/domaine-vtt/ski-de-fond-secteur-picherande-chareire/