Puy de Dôme, the land of sleeping volcanoes
Located in the centre of France, your trip to the Puy de Dôme will be a sensory journey through volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, plains and forests. Discover landscapes with impressive panoramic views as you wind your way through the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of no fewer than 80 volcanoes overlooked by the Puy de Dôme (altitude 1465 m) and the Limagne fault, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Whether you're a hiker or a walker, put on your trainers, get out your swimming trunks or sledges depending on the weather, open your eyes wide and get ready to tantalise your taste buds with Auvergne specialities.
Step
Livradois-Forez
Kilometer 0
To discover
This first stage starts in the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park, where the omnipresent natural environment offers you the chance to totally unwind.
Activities :
- Visit the Château de la Barge.
- Hike in the Forêt de la Comté, a sensitive natural area.
- Go to Mont Bar, the only strombolian volcano in France to have a peat bog in its crater.
- Climb aboard the ‘Trains de la découverte’ in Ambert for a journey from viaducts to tunnels to discover the landscapes of the Livradois-Forez.
Family
Discover the Hautes-Chaumes du Forez in the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park. At an altitude of 1,200 metres, you'll find moorland, copses and peat bogs with a wide variety of flora and fauna. This area has been classified as a Natura 2000 site. You can visit the ‘Jasseries’ or ‘farms above’, where the famous Auvergne cheese ‘fourme’ was once made.
To taste
Patia, a speciality of potatoes preserved in cream.
Good deal
Piscine Municipale d'été de Courpière
Valid
from 01/01/2024
to 31/12/2024
Reserved for customers
Offer:
Accès gratuit à la piscine municipale sur présentation de votre carte d'accès et d'un justificatif de séjour.
Dans la limite de 2 entrées gratuites par nuit.
Step
Brassac Les Mines
Kilometer 50
To discover
A former mining village, Brassac les Mines is named in honour of its mining past. The village has preserved its headframe from the Bayard shaft. A stopover between history and a preserved environment.
Activities :
- Hike in the Cé valley.
- Visit the mining museum and discover 160 metres of reconstructed galleries.
- Follow in the footsteps of the miners with the ‘From the black faces to the boatmen’ walk, 4km, duration approx. 1 hour.
Family
Take a relaxing break at the Vernet lake in Vernet-la-Varenne, where you can swim, pedal-boat and relax.
To taste
Pachade, a large rustic pancake similar to an omelette, made from a mixture of flour, water and milk. Try it sweet or savoury!
Step
Anzat-Le-Luguet
Kilometer 88
To discover
Situated in the heart of the Cézallier, Anzat-le-Luguet, which means ‘domain of the sacred wood’, rises to an altitude of 1,130 metres.
Activities :
- Visit the Forges du Luguet.
- Go snowshoeing, tobogganing, Nordic skiing or mountain biking at the Parrot ski resort, depending on the season.
- Admire the Apcher waterfall.
- Hike up to the Signal du Luguet at an altitude of 1551 metres to admire an immense panorama of the Monts Dore, Monts du Sancy and Cantal.
Family
Between Murol and Anzat-le-Luguet, try your hand at the Vélorail du Cézallier, where you can ride along the railway line on one of these funny machines.
To taste
An Auvergne stew at the foot of the Cézallier!
Step
The Puy de Sancy
Kilometer 132
To discover
From the top of its 1,885 m, come and admire the beauty of the Puy de Sancy, the highest point in the Monts Dore. Beneath its mountainous appearance, it's actually a volcano - in fact, it's the highest volcano in mainland France! Take full advantage of the many activities on offer:
Activities :
- Visit the medieval castle of Murol.
- Visit the crater of Puy de Montchal (1,407 metres above sea level), the youngest volcano in France!
- Hike to the Chiloza waterfall.
- Skiing on the slopes of the Super Besse resort (in winter).
Family
Is it possible to have a beach in the mountains? Yes, at Lac Chambon in the Sancy massif! Enjoy a wide range of activities, including walks, picnics, swimming, fishing, hot-air ballooning and a variety of water sports... One of the most enjoyable relaxation breaks on this tour. Famille Plus label.
To taste
A truffade, this traditional Auvergne dish is made with fried potatoes and fresh tomme, a typical Cantal cheese. The name truffade is evocative, but has nothing to do with truffles. It takes its name from the name of the potato in Occitan Auvergne: trufa or trufla.
Step
...And Saint-Nectaire!
Kilometer 137
To discover
Here you are in Saint-Nectaire, a stopover rich in heritage and unusual discoveries near the Couze Chambon valley. For cheese lovers, this is where Saint-Nectaire cheese originated.
Activities :
- Walk to the Saillant waterfall and its dolmen.
- Hike to the Sainte Marguerite spring.
- Stroll through the town of Saint-Nectaire and discover its church, one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the Auvergne.
- Visit the Marais Salé to discover an unexpected maritime biotope hundreds of kilometres from the sea.
Family
Visit the petrifying fountains of Saint-Nectaire. A timeless and unusual underground experience for all the family. The site has been awarded the Famille Plus label.
To taste
Saint-Nectaire cheese, of course! You can't leave this stage without tasting it. This cheese has an AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) and is made only in the Puy de Dôme and Cantal mountains.
Step
Murat-Le-Quaire
Kilometer 169
To discover
Murat-le-Quaire is a typical mountain village at an altitude of 1050 metres in the heart of the Sancy massif. Here you'll find houses built of lava stone with slate roofs.
Activities :
- Admire the view after a hike to the banne d'Ordanche (1515 metres above sea level).
- Take a walk near Lac de Guery and discover the waterfalls of the Mortes de Guéry, Roches Tuilières and Sanadoire.
- Hike to the Grande cascade du Mont Dore. The climb is a little difficult but the view of Mont Dore is well worth the diversions.
- On the way to the last stage, you can stop off at the Trador waterfall.
Family
Whatever you fancy: Visit the Toinette and Julien scenomuseum and travel back in time to the 19th century to discover the daily life of two mountain dwellers. Discover the Chèvrerie des Monts Dore, an educational farm, for a gentle moment of cuddling with the goats and bottle-feeding the kids, depending on the season. Both sites have the Familles Plus label.
To taste
Something to drink! Beer lovers beware: in the Sancy you'll find craft beers with original notes of chestnut, gentian or fruit. Serve with an Auvergne cheese (AOP Saint-Nectaire, AOP Bleu d'Auvergne, AOP Cantal, AOP Salers, AOP Fourme d'Ambert) for an Auvergne aperitif.
Good deal
Scénomusée la Toinette et Julien
On presentation of your PASS'ETAPES card, benefit from a reduced rate (group rate).
Le Cellier Muratois
On presentation of your PASS'ETAPES card, receive a small gift.
Valid
from 01/01/2021
to 31/12/2024
Reserved for customers
Offer:
On presentation of your PASS'ETAPES card, benefit from a reduced rate (group rate).
Step
the Puys mountain range
Kilometer 204
To discover
breathtaking panorama from the summit of the Puy de Dôme over the Chaîne des Puys and the Limagne fault, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take advantage of this last great breath of air in Auvergne to admire the sleeping volcanoes. You're in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park.
Activities :
- Go to the Belvédère du Puy de Moufle, and admire the view guided by the enamelled lava orientation table.
- Hike to the summit of Puy de Dôme (altitude 1465 m).
- Visit Vulcania and discover the world of volcanoes.
Family
Enjoy a moment of relaxation and put time on hold at the Anschald lake. The lake offers an idyllic setting for a picnic, a swim or a game of pétanque.
To taste
You've reached the end of your journey and you've still got one of the dishes for which the Auvergne is famous: salted meats: Dry sausages, dry sausages and hams!
Good deal
La Table de Marie
Bénéficiez de 5% de remise dès 10 € d'achat sur présentation de votre carte