A stone bench in the Jardin de la Clémentine marks the site of Frère Clément’s birthplace. This tangible connection makes the garden a starting point for exploring the history of the Clementine in Chambon-Sur-Dolore. In the hamlet of Malvieille, there are also opportunities to picnic, play pétanque and discover small fruits. A waymarked circular walk and a family treasure hunt to the Romanesque church offer different experiences: one is described by its distance and duration, while the other combines puzzles with a local landmark. This lets you decide in advance whether you want your stay to focus on the garden, the walking route or the treasure hunt.
Garden and Clementine history
Chambon-Sur-Dolore is the birthplace of the creator of the Clementine, Frère Clément. In the Jardin de la Clémentine in the hamlet of Malvieille, the stone bench marks the site of his birthplace. The garden also features a Clementine-shaped calade. It was inaugurated after being redesigned in 2025. These design features refer in different ways to the connection between the person and the fruit: the bench marks the birthplace, while the calade takes the shape of a Clementine.
Visitors can picnic in the garden, play pétanque and discover different varieties of small fruits. These activities may be subject to local conditions. The garden offers a different focus from a hike: here, local history and the activities mentioned are at the heart of the experience, while the circular walk can be planned around its distance and duration. If you would rather build your visit around a garden than a walking route, picnicking, pétanque and fruit offer different ways to enjoy it.
Circular walk or treasure hunt
The circular route “Du pas de Gargantua aux 3 gouttes de sang” starts in Chambon-Sur-Dolore’s village square. The loop is 8.5 km long, marked in yellow and takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. Its starting point, distance and duration make it easy to plan your time. Dogs must be kept on a lead along the route because herds graze there. If you are travelling with a dog, take this requirement into account when choosing your route.
Another option is the family treasure hunt “Sur les traces de la clémentine”. It offers a chance to discover the Romanesque church of Chambon-Sur-Dolore. The two activities have different focuses: the circular walk has a specified distance and duration, while the treasure hunt centres on puzzles and the church. You can choose whether you would prefer a route with a clearly stated distance or a treasure hunt connected to the area’s architectural heritage.
Local legend and architectural heritage
The Pas de Gargantua is a geological feature on the Ruisseau de La Palle. According to legend, the giant Gargantua carved it out of the rock. The name also appears in the title of the circular route. Alongside the story of Frère Clément, this adds a local landscape legend and another cultural connection. Chambon-Sur-Dolore’s architectural heritage also includes a carved door. Together with the Romanesque church, which can be discovered on the family treasure hunt, it offers another way to explore the village’s architectural heritage.
Discover more destinations: Murat-Le-Quaire, Bromont, Saulzet-le-Froid, Mirefleurs, Trémouille-Saint-Loup, Saint-Germain-Lembron, Saint-Ours, Thiers.
See the broader travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.
