It is the Auvergne of green tourism and volcanoes. Moreover, the puy de Dôme, a dormant volcano in the Puys chain and a major site in France, gave its name to this department of the Massif Central. This territory, which shelters part of the very vast regional natural park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne, consists of a succession of micro-regions typified around their mountains and valleys. In particular: the country of Combrailles, of cascading gorges, of lakes in ponds, where the Sioule flows, the valley of Riom-Limagne, fertile and sweet, the Sancy of volcanoes, the Val d'Allier with the picturesque country of Issoire, the Livradois-Forez around Thiers, capital of the cutlery industry. So, whether you want to ski or take the water, go hiking (3,900 kilometres of marked trails!) or, on the city side, visit Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of Auvergne, rich in religious heritage with the Notre-Dame-du-Port church and the Gothic cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, it is here that you will find the museum dedicated to the epic Michelin tyres and, nearby, Vulcania, a leisure park with a volcano theme. Other tourist attractions include the parc animalier d'Auvergne (Arde-sur-Couze), perched at an altitude of 700 metres. Imagine giraffes in the mountains! The richness of this department can also be discovered by following thematic routes: the route of the water cities, the route of the wines of Auvergne and that of the farm, Saint-Nectaire and goat's cheese routes combined.
The harsh winter climate does not attract tourists, except skiers who have a choice of ten winter sports resorts scattered throughout the territory. In summer, it is the hikers who can be found on the marked trails that rise up to the heights of the puy de Dôme, revealing splendid views of the green volcanoes. So you have two high tourist seasons: winter and summer. The rest of the year the tourist sites are asleep. Of course, the cities with their monuments and museums welcome you all year round and in low season give you the opportunity to discover the "real" local life. You should also know that throughout the year this territory schedules events that are well worth your visit. The international Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand, an international event, takes place for a week in February, the Sancy Snow Jazz du Mont-Dore at the same time, in the Sancy massif, the festival Plein la bobine in La Bourboule, of Cinéma jeune public (late May/early June), Piano in Riom and its region, the second half of June, Europavox in Clermont-Ferrand, at the end of June-early July, the Pamparina in Thiers at the beginning of July (world music) or Bach in Combrailles, in August, on the organ of Pontaumur and in the small churches of the Combrailles. In autumn, from October to November, the Automnales take place with their shows of music, theatre, dance, circus or puppets, involving about twenty municipalities.
Puy-de-Dôme concentrates the different climates of Western Europe on its territory. Wet and cold sub-oceanic, on the southwestern plateaus and mountains, windy and snow-covered three months a year, cool sub-oceanic in the northwestern hills and low mountains, dry sub-continental in the central plains and mountainous foothills of the west, cool sub-continental in the eastern mountains, also with a snowpack that lasts all winter.
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The harsh winter climate does not attract tourists, except skiers who have a choice of ten winter sports resorts scat...
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Puy-de-Dôme concentrates the different climates of Western Europe on its territory. Wet and cold sub-oceanic, on the...
Read more about it
A major site, symbol of the Auvergne, the puy de Dôme attracts more than 500,000 visitors every year. To approach it, all you have to do is walk along the snowy paths, through the hazelnut and beech woods, to appreciate the exceptional panorama of this haven of peace. The beauty of the landscapes, the quality of the welcome and the commitment of the inhabitants to preserve it have earned it national recognition, the Grand Site de France ...
Experienced skier, you dream of skiing down the slopes, but you worry about your toddlers who will taste the joys of the mountains for the first time? Trust the flair of the Little Futé! From the Alps to the Pyrenees, passing through the Massif Central, the Vosges and the Jura, we have selected the 10 most renowned French ski resorts for their childcare. They guarantee a quality stay for adults and children alike, offering reception and ...
In the heart of the Massif Central, the Volcans d'Auvergne Regional Nature Park covers approximately 400,000 hectares. The Auvergne Volcanoes Park is at once an immense territory of greenery and forests, shaped by glaciers and dotted with lakes, a unique group of volcanoes, the youngest of which are barely cooled, a preserved nature that shelters a variety of flora and fauna, and finally a rural society with quality architecture and ...
That's it, the Comédie de Clermont is moving into its brand new theatre, a building designed by Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. The audience will soon be able to discover its large hall, its two performance halls, the rehearsal studio, the spaces for sharing, mediation and work, as well as the large café-restaurant. For the occasion, the Comédie is unveiling its inaugural season 2020-2021, through a brochure available at the ...
