This year, as we couldn’t spend the festive season together, my brother, my sister and our respective families decided to get together for a quiet long weekend. What we want most of all is to spend time together, make memories and enjoy the countryside in peace and quiet. And for that, we’re off to La Margeride and the resort of Les Bouviers! Three days to soak up nature, catch up with one another and share special moments together. Let’s hit the road!
- 270 €
- Average budget
- 3
- Days
A cosy retreat in unfamiliar surroundings
Arrival at the Bouviers holiday cottage village
Once we’ve arrived at our large family chalet, we settle in and light a fire in the wood-pellet stove. Ah, the warmth of the fire feels so good! Even though there’s no snow outside (yet), the temperature is still below freezing on this January evening. We prepare some food and start with a few drinks. And of course, we’re eagerly awaiting the snow (they’re forecasting some for this weekend)!
Mountain biking, yes, but electric, please!
Exploring the local area
No snow when we woke up… a slight disappointment, but one we quickly got over! We’re going to make the most of the clear weather to explore the surrounding area on mountain bikes. To hire them, we head to the village reception and the whole family is kitted out – it couldn’t be simpler. Off we go for a two-hour ride – on electric mountain bikes for the little ones. Despite the cold, the sun is shining brightly and the landscapes, covered in a thin layer of frost, are absolutely breathtaking!
To warm up, there’s nothing quite like the local hot drink: Aubrac tea.
This caffeine-free ‘tea’ grows on the Aubrac plateau, and its hints of mint and lemon balm are perfect for relaxation… The ideal drink for winter!
Magical moments on the programme
Meet the bison
The afternoon will be more relaxed: we’ve decided to take a guided tour of the European bison reserve. An experience that delights young and old alike: we’re rocked gently in the horse-drawn carriage to the rhythm of the horses’ hooves… we gradually venture deeper into the park and the forest, and then we finally see them – the bison! The children, who’d been so restless up until then, fall silent at the sight of these imposing mammals… Time seems to stand still. And the first snowflakes appear in the sky and settle on the bisons’ dark coats… A magical moment. The snow is coming!
The snow’s here – let the winter activities begin!
We’d guessed as much, but we didn’t expect there to be quite so much! We opened our eyes to find 40 centimetres of snow on the ground! We rubbed our eyes several times before it really sank in! The cars were almost completely hidden beneath this thick white blanket. No sooner had we finished breakfast than the children rushed outside and set about building a snowman. We joined them a few minutes later for a mad snowball fight that sparked endless bursts of laughter! And their eyes were sparkling!
or at full speed on a sledge
Ski touring
Last day to enjoy the snow before heading back to our southern lowlands. And we’ve chosen cross-country skiing first. Although we’re keen downhill skiers, we’re much less at ease on cross-country skis. It’s not easy getting used to that roller-skating motion on the flat or going uphill! We fall over quite a few times, but we have a right laugh! We also make the most of the toboggan run for a few runs down, racing each other: we whizz down at top speed, like proper speedsters!
Plan your stay
Where to eat, where to stay, what to do?
How do I get there?
- By car or carpool: the A75 runs very close to Aumont-Aubrac: take exit 36 if travelling from the south and exit 35 if travelling from the north.
- By tourist shuttle: in July and August, you can travel to Aumont-Aubrac from Mende on the Mende–Marvejols–Nasbinals shuttle.
- On foot, for long-distance travellers
