In an 850 m2 building dedicated to the pleasure of climbing, the one and only bouldering room in Haute-Loire has been set up. It is located at 590 rue Farnier, in the Corsac business park, in Brives-Charensac. Jean-François Isnard and his son, Romain, the two owners of the room called Techno Bloc, have seen things on a grand scale to attract a wide audience, in a space designed to be a place of relaxation.
"The surface area of the walls dedicated to climbing extends over 400m2. This makes it one of the largest structures in the region."
What made you want to open this room?
Romain Isnard: Actually, I took up climbing again in 2023 when I was living in Corsica, and I discovered what's called bouldering, which is done indoors and without ropes. I wanted to continue this activity when I returned to Le Puy-en-Velay, but I realized that it was only possible in Saint-Étienne. That's where the idea came from, with my father, to build this facility here. We realized there was a real demand in Le Puy-en-Velay.
What are its specific features?
Romain Isnard: The climbing gym is housed in an 850 m² building. The climbing walls cover 400 m². They're made entirely of bouldering blocks, making it one of the largest climbing gyms in the region. The walls are 4.5 meters high and 80 meters long. There's a cave-like area, a boulder with a unique incline. There's also a module in the middle of the gym to maximize the climbing space. We have next-generation mats on the landing surfaces. They were supplied by EP Climbing, the company that worked on the Olympic Games. We're the only gym in the world to use them . These are multi-density mats that completely absorb falls. Here, we don't use ropes or harnesses. It's much more fun than rock climbing.
Who is it for?
Romain Isnard: From the youngest, starting at age 4, to the oldest people able to participate in this activity. There isn't really an age limit . The facility is open to experienced climbers, but not only them. We've also thought about accompanying persons, who aren't necessarily interested in climbing, but who want to get together in a friendly space.
Is it also a place of conviviality?
Romain Isnard: Yes, it is a place of life dedicated to young people or the less young. The room is open to initiates, but also to people who are looking for a fun activity in Puy-en-Velay. We offer very extended time slots. You can get here every day of the week from 7am to 23pm., including public holidays. This allows people to come whenever they want. There is a bar and restaurant area, a relaxation area with a pool table, table football, and board games.
Is climbing on the rise in recent years?
Romain Isnard: Absolutely! It's impressive to see so many people in theaters these past few years, and since the Olympic Games. We'll see how it all evolves over time. We hope it's not just a passing fad.
590 Chemin de Farnier 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
Themes
