Le Mazet-Saint-Voy At the foot of the Lizieux

A typical village on the Vivarais-Lignon plateau, with its lauze roofs, facing the Pic du Lizieux, which watches over the village.
The panorama from the summit is simply breathtaking!
Between 875 and 1,283 m above sea level, the village has a population of 1,112.

The Lizieux peak rises to 1388 m, and is the guardian of Mazet-St-Voy. The village is the highest in the Haut-Lignon region, on the plateau at the foot of the Lizieux, with infinite freedom.

Here, people help each other with exceptional solidarity. A village spirit has reigned here for a very long time, and has been perpetuated from generation to generation, right up to the new inhabitants.

Published on 23 June 2024

To discover

Saint Voy Church

Saint Voy church is one of the oldest in the Velay region. Its apse dates from the ^11th century, and its south-facing bell tower, independent of the nave, was probably built in the ^12th and ^13th centuries. The carved wooden door is remarkable .
The church is unusual in that the openings in the apse follow the course of the sun. The bases of the openings are higher in the south-eastern part.

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The Lizieux peak and its forest

In the heart of the Haute-Loire, the Pic du Lizieux and its massif are a volcanic nugget offering an astonishing diversity of landscapes and activities.

North of Mont Mézenc, and adjacent to Le Meygal, it’s a popular spot for nature lovers and hikers in all seasons.
Follow the hiking trails through the boulders, and enjoy magnificent panoramic views from the summit.

The Lizieux peak and its forest

The botanical garden

In all seasons with 400 plants

At Mazet Saint-Voy, next to the farmers’ market, open the door to the botanical garden. The garden shows its charm with each new season. After a 1h30 visit, you’ll know all about botany!

Created in 1987, the 2-hectare botanical garden brings together some 400 species of plants from the region, most of them from the montane zone. Elsewhere, the original vegetation remains, with grasses and meadow herbs. The garden is also an LPO refuge for the Haute Loire region.

Open all year round. Parking nearby.
The Environnement et Patrimoine association organizes guided tours in summer.

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A little history

Le Mazet-Saint-Voy has been marked by Reformed culture since the ^16th century, and remains one of the major centers of Protestantism.
Indeed, during the ^16th century, the entire population adopted the “Religious Reformation” preached by Luther and then Calvin. The first temple dates back to 1576!

For around a century, Protestants had no legal recognition and were persecuted, but this small population held firm to its convictions until religious tolerance returned, marked by the predominance of Protestantism, which now accounts for a 95% majority in the commune.

Le Mazet-Saint-Voy is said to be the most Protestant commune in France.

A drone view of Le Mazet-Saint-Voy- Cyril Treveys

Hiking at Le Mazet

The Lizieux circuit

From the listed Saint-Voy chapel to the ^18th-centuryMoulins du Bouchat, this long, unusual walk will take you through an exceptionally rare architectural and natural heritage.

A 15 km 300 circuit with ascent and descent of the Pic du Lizieux.

PR 33 Le circuit du lizieux

All hikes

On foot
Mountain biking and enduro
Cyclo
Trail

An annual event

Local produce fair

The Foire du Terroir was created in 1986 by the Comité d’Animation! One of the oldest fairs in the Haute-Loire.

The village is transformed for two days on the 1st weekend of August.
On Saturday, local producers and craftsmen unpack and take over the village.
On Sunday, second-hand goods dealers and individual barn clearers take over, followed by an afternoon parade.
Over the weekend, there’s plenty of entertainment, including a country-style meal and a parade… The fair has evolved into a village festival, with a fair on Saturday.

The39th Fête du village will take place on August 2 and 3, 2025.