Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
This midnight-blue crater lake, enclosed by a fuzz of pine trees, lies 6km southwest of Besse. Blasted out of the earth by a volcanic explosion nearly…
Must-see attractions in Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Feel the Auvergne's smouldering terrain beneath your feet at this mined volcanic site, across the main road from amusement park Vulcania. In summer, at…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Roosting on a basalt knoll above Murol village, the 12th-century Château de Murol offers peerless views along with insights into a brutish medieval past…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
The Papon family put St-Nectaire's hot springs to creative use at the 'Petrifying Fountains', channelling the mineral-rich waters to make art. Calcium…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
One kilometre north of the turn-off to Lac de Guéry is a lookout that gazes towards two of the Sancy region's most noteworthy geological features. The…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
The Romanesque basilica towering over Orcival is one of the most impressive churches in the Auvergne. With its octagonal tower and broad stone arches,…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
This medieval fortress glowers over Volvic from its 600m-high hilltop perch. A watchtower is thought to have stood here since the 10th century, but the…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
The Auvergne's long-extinct volcanoes are brought back to life in spectacular style at Vulcania theme park, 15km west of Clermont on the D941. Combining…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Le Mont-Dore's graceful 19th-century buildings grew from its centuries-old spa heritage, which long pre-dates its reputation as a ski hub. See the source…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
To buy cheese from the source (and get a little muddy), take the winding road 3km uphill from St-Nectaire to this multi-generational family dairy farm…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
The relatively shallow (and thus warmish) waters of Lac Chambon, 1.5km west of Murol, make this crater lake a much-loved place for families to splash…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
An enigmatic imprint of the distant past stands atop the summit of Puy de Dôme: a 1st-century Gallo-Roman temple undergoing gradual restoration…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
This ornate Romanesque church on a hilltop is unmissable as you arrive in St-Nectaire, and it's worth the uphill walk to look inside. Within, you'll see a…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Don a hard hat for a 45-minute tour of St-Nectaire's Roman baths, deep in a cave that glimmers with damp limestone. Two-thousand years ago, these man-made…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
The magnificence of local cattle is the focus of this very French museum, 5km north of Salers. Beef produced in Salers is renowned in France for its rich,…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
For great views, brave the lung-busting climb to the top of Rocher Bonnevie. From the town centre, this route is about 2.5km; follow the signposts with…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
One monumental gateway remains of Besse's medieval fortifications, crowned by the octagonal 16th-century Beffroy, the town's most distinctive feature…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Uncover Salers' history in one of the most enigmatic buildings in town. This former Knights Templar house exposes local history and traditions among its…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Learn about Volvic's world-famous mineral water at the company's Espace d'Information, a 10-minute walk west of Volvic's tourist office. Free hour-long…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
An essential stop for diehard snow-heads, this pocket-sized museum exhibits a collection of vintage ski gear, ice skates, snow shoes and wintry miscellany…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Pick a round of St-Nectaire cheese, along with terrines, jams and other regional nibbles, from this dairy shop across the road from the Grottes du…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Fans of French formal gardens will enjoy the 15th-century Château de Cordès, 2.5km north of Orcival off D27. Visitors can explore the manicured lawns and…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Gasp at the daredevil quarrying feats of Volvic's past in this kid-friendly museum. There are subterranean passages to explore (bring a jacket) and flash…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Budding zoologists should make a beeline for this 16th-century town house opposite place de l'Hôtel de Ville, which houses over 10,000 insects, including…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
La Bourboule's pale lava-stone church, completed in 1888, cuts an elegant silhouette against its mountainous backdrop.
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Dating to the end of the 14th century, the church in Murat's medieval heart bears a few Gothic flourishes from additions made during the 19th century. It…
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Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
A fine example of a Romanesque church, 12th-century St-Priest has dark volcanic stone details and boasts three richly decorated chapels. Look up to see…
