The commune of Espalem is located on a granite and volcanic plateau. Crossed by the A75 motorway, it is delimited to the west and north-west by the Imperial road, which by its rectilinear layout, is reminiscent of an old Roman road. This road offers a 360° viewing angle and a magnificent view of the Cézallier mountains, the Livradois mountains and the borderlands of Blesle.
| Municipality | Espalem |
|---|---|
| Postcode | 43450 |
| Latitude | 45.3068630 (N 45° 18’ 25”) |
| Longitude | 3.2340630 (E 3° 14’ 3”) |
| Altitude | From 580m to 739m |
| Surface area | 14.62 km² |
| Population | 340 inhabitants |
| Density | 23 inhabitants/km² |
| Prefecture | Le Puy-en-Velay (74 km, 1:09) |
| Insee code | 43088 |
| Intercommunality | CC Brioude Sud Auvergne |
| Department | Haute-Loire |
| Territories | Auvergne, Massif Central |
| Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alps |
| Saint-Beauzire | 5 km (7 min) |
|---|---|
| Grenier-Montgon | 5.4 km (8 min) |
| Blesle | 6.6 km (10 min) |
| Lorlanges | 7.5 km (9 min) |
| Massiac | 8.3 km (10 min) |
| Saint-Géron | 8.4 km (10 min) |
| Torsiac | 9.4 km (16 min) |
| Léotoing | 10 km (16 min) |
| Lubilhac | 10.5 km (14 min) |
| Paulhac | 10.7 km (17 min) |
| Saint-Laurent-Chabreuges | 11.8 km (12 min) |
| Bournoncle-Saint-Pierre | 12.5 km (15 min) |
| Lempdes-sur-Allagnon | 12.9 km (13 min) |
| Autrac | 13.4 km (20 min) |
Saint-Mathieu church from the 12th-13th centuries with carved decoration, in particular by the two capitals with angels located in the choir.
Small heritage to discover: Old fountain, washhouse, shoeing loom and oven.
We find in the commune "mysterious lakes", classified Natura 2000 and as Sensitive Natural Areas of Haute-Loire. These are actually marshes, formed in the depressions of the basaltic plateau and which host a multitude of amphibians including the tree frog, the small frog emblematic of the site. The Espalem site is made up of four small marshes: Lac Citrou, Grand Lac, Lac Redon and Lac Long.
To discover and observe more closely fauna, flora and landscape, several hiking trails are available to you, including the PR 499 "Round around Espalem", 13.5 km - 3h45, leading you to the old Roman road which connects Blesle to Brioude. It passes by the Frideyre bridge (19th century).
| Last name | Activity type | Rate | City |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sports sensations | 50 € to 60 € | Vieille-Brioude (13.9 km) |
 | Sports sensations | 50 € to 350 € | Coltines (32 km) |
 | Nature and the great outdoors | 40 € to 75 € | Albepierre-Bredons (40 km) |
| Last name | Outing type | Difficulty | Duration | Departure municipality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hike | Easy | 2:00 | Champagnac-le-Vieux (22 km) |
 | Motorbike itinerary | Intermediate | 1:40 | Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (33 km) |
 | Hike | Easy | 20 min | Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (33 km) |
 | Hike | Easy | 45 min | Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (33 km) |
 | Hike | Intermediate | 1:00 | Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (35 km) |
