Dormant volcanoes, crater lakes, lava-stone towns and mountain cheeses: Auvergne is a land of volcanoes in the heart of France. Here is the guide to visiting it.
In the heart of the Massif Central, Auvergne unfolds the largest volcanic landscape in continental Europe. Its dormant volcanoes, crater lakes, towns built of lava stone and mountain cheeses make it a land of nature and character. To visit Auvergne, this guide gathers the essentials, from the Chaîne des Puys to Le Puy-en-Velay.
Why visit Auvergne?
Auvergne charms with its vast, preserved spaces, far from the crowds. People come for hiking, volcanic panoramas, thermal springs and a frank, generous cuisine. It is a region of the outdoors where you breathe freely, where the water springs pure and where every summit tells of the Earth’s fire. Authentic and still little-known, it is earned and savoured.
The volcanoes of Auvergne
The Chaîne des Puys, an alignment of eighty volcanoes, is a UNESCO World Heritage site together with the Limagne fault. Its highest point, the Puy de Dôme (1,465 m), is reached on foot or by a rack railway; from the top, the panorama embraces the whole chain. Further south, the Sancy massif peaks at 1,886 m, the highest summit of the Massif Central, while the Cantal mountains form the largest stratovolcano in Europe.
« In Auvergne the mountain is no backdrop: it is a volcano slumbering beneath the grass. »
Le Puy-en-Velay, a sanctuary town
Set on its volcanic pinnacles, Le Puy-en-Velay is one of the historic starting points of the Camino de Santiago. The Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe chapel, perched on an 82-metre lava needle, and the statue of Notre-Dame de France, cast from the bronze of cannons, dominate the town. The Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO site as part of the Compostela routes, completes this striking scene.
Towns, villages and castles
Clermont-Ferrand
The regional capital, Clermont-Ferrand, surprises with its cathedral of deep-black Volvic stone and its lively old town. The city, birthplace of Michelin, blends heritage and student energy at the foot of the Puy de Dôme.
Villages of character
Auvergne holds some of the most beautiful villages in France: Salers, built of dark lava, Besse, an old resort of medieval houses, or Montpeyroux. Castles abound, such as Murol, a fortress raised on a basalt outcrop.
Lakes, springs and wide spaces
The volcanoes left superb lakes: the mysterious Lac Pavin, the Lac Chambon or the Lac d’Aydat, perfect for swimming and hiking. Auvergne is also a land of waters: Volvic springs here, Vichy cultivates its Belle Époque spa tradition and Chaudes-Aigues has the hottest spring in Europe. The Volcans d’Auvergne Regional Nature Park, the largest in France, protects these landscapes.
Local food and produce
Auvergne is a land of cheeses: Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, Bleu d’Auvergne, Fourme d’Ambert and Salers make five AOP names. They appear in truffade, aligot and the potée auvergnate. The green Puy lentil, France’s first AOP pulse, and country charcuterie complete a hearty cuisine, cut out for the mountains.
« Here the cheese tastes of the high pastures and the water of the rock: Auvergne is savoured as much as it is climbed. »
What to do and see
Between summits, villages and tables, experiences follow one another. A few related ideas:
- Wander the most beautiful villages in France
- Continue to neighbouring Occitanie
- Compare with the light of Provence
- Climb the Puy de Dôme on foot or by rack railway
Practical tips for your trip
The best period runs from May to October, when the high pastures green and the trails are clear; winter offers cross-country skiing and small resorts at the Sancy and Le Lioran. A car is essential to explore the massifs and villages, often off the main roads. Clermont-Ferrand is reachable by train from Paris in a little over three hours. Bring good shoes, a windbreaker (the weather changes fast at altitude) and a hearty appetite for the local specialities. Book ahead in summer and on hiking weekends.
In short
Between volcanoes, flowing waters and a terroir of character, Auvergne offers a great breath of air in the heart of France. Continue with our directory of regions, browse cities to visit and map your route on the interactive map.
