Delight for the eyes, lungs but also the taste buds, the volcanoes of Auvergne are a perfect holiday destination for adventurous holidaymakers in search of nature and fresh air. With its immense spaces and privileged nature, this magnificent natural park will dazzle you with its warm autumn colours, its immaculate spaces in winter, its flowers in spring, as well as its freshness and tranquility during the summer heat.
Unique in France, the Parc Naturel des Volcans d'Auvergne is an astonishing site, made up of high and ancient volcanoes, the scene of many natural activities for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. From skiing to hiking, mountain biking, hang-gliding, paragliding and swimming, there is something for everyone! Located in the heart of the Massif-Central, straddling the departments of Puy-de-Dôme and Cantal, it consists of 4 well-known volcanic massifs: Monts Dômes, Monts du Cantal, Cézalier and Monts Dore. You can find 3 splendid natural reserves: the Sagnes de la Godivelle, the Rocher de la Jacquette or the Chaudefour Valley.
They are called Puy de Sancy, Puy-de-Dôme, Combegrasse, Puy de Montchal, Banne d'Ordanche, Puy Mary, Puy de Pariou, Volcan du Tartaret, Puy de la Vache et de Lassolas or Volcan de Lemptegy, and are true stars in Auvergne. The Puy de Dôme is certainly one of the most famous in France, emblematic of the volcanoes of Auvergne: from the top of its 1450 metres of altitude, this jewel of the Chaîne des Puys fascinates by the power it exudes. A vast open-air playground, it dominates nearly 80 other volcanoes that make up the Chaîne des Puys. It is easily accessible as it is only 15 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, and will delight its visitors with its many hiking trails, its temple of Mercury and its breathtaking panorama. Note also that Puy de Dôme is also a prime spot for paragliding fans who can fly from its summit to discover its wonders! Another "personality" of the national park is Puy Mary, which has been measuring all the volcanoes in the department since its 1787 metres altitude. The highest volcano in Europe, this jewel labelled "Grand Site de France" is also a paradise for walkers.
Like the latter, the Sancy massif is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Auvergne: in all, there are more than 730 kilometres of marked trails for all levels waiting for you if you choose to pack your bags in this small corner of green paradise. You can of course choose to discover it on foot, but also by bike, horse, mountain bike or even by trying your hand at cani-hiking. To see? The Chaudefour Valley, the wonderful Lac Pavin, the Cascades du Mont-Dore, the Ceryrat gorges and the valley's ski resorts such as Super-Besse!
If you are a seasoned walker, we can only recommend the GR30 trail, a 189-kilometre long itinerary that will allow you to discover 15 beautiful volcanic lakes, each more beautiful than the next, from the Monts Dore to the Monts du Cézallier. With your family, don't hesitate to visit Parc Vulcania in Saint-Ours-les-Roches to become an expert in volcanism! You will also have the opportunity to discover the source of Volvic or visit the castles of the park, such as Anjony, La Boyle or Murol, a wonderful small medieval village well known for its lake where families and friends enjoy a variety of water sports.
Puy de Montchal is the youngest volcano in France: this small young man, barely 7000 years old, peaks at an altitude of 1407 metres above the wonderful Lake Pavin. At a depth of 93 metres, this absolutely magnificent lake looks like a Quebec paradise during the fall. You can fish there, but also climb or canoe on its clear waters. We also recommend that you add Lake Aydat, Gour de Tazenat, Lake Godivelle, Lake Guéry or Lake Servières to your holiday to-do-list for breathtaking views and moments of swimming in the heart of the volcanoes.
Finally, it is impossible to stay in the Auvergne volcano region without succumbing to the delights of local cuisine. On the menu? Blue trout, perch fillet in wine, Auvergne potée (the famous!), but also green lentils from Le Puy (which the whole world envies us), not to mention Auvergne cheeses such as Saint-Nectaire, Salers, Fourme, and many other flavoured dishes.
