MUROL, 6km west of St-Nectaire by road (July & Aug twice-daily bus to Clermont) or 5.5km by footpath, is an attractive, sleepy little place best known for its powerful medieval Château, dramatically situated on top of a basalt cone commanding the approaches for kilometres around (April–June & Sept–Oct daily 10am–noon & 1.30–6pm; July & Aug Wed & Sun 10am–7pm; Nov–March Sat, Sun & hols 2–5pm; €3.20). In summer, a local organization re-enacts the medieval life of the castle in costume (€7).There are several small family-run hotels here. Try the Hôtel des Pins, on rue de Levat (tel 04.73.88.60.50, fax 04.73.88.60.29; €30–40; closed Oct to May; restaurant from €9), or the Hôtel de Paris, on place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville (tel 04.73.88.60.09, fax 04.73.88.69.62; €30–40; closed mid-Sept to April). Of the campsites, the best value is the Ribeyre, a short distance away at JASSAT (tel 04.73.88.64.29, laribeyre.free.fr; closed mid-Sept to April).
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