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.
From 06/18/2022 to 09/18/2022 : A reference exhibition in Auvergne, Horizons "Arts-Nature" in Sancy is a cultural moment not to be missed at the arrival of the beautiful days. ...
From 05/26/2022 to 05/28/2022 : After two years without taking place, the Volvic Volcanic Experience is back and offers exceptional experiences in the heart of the Chaîne des ...
The harsh winter climate does not attract tourists, except skiers who have a choice of ten winter sports resorts scat...
Read more about it
Puy-de-Dôme concentrates the different climates of Western Europe on its territory. Wet and cold sub-oceanic, on the...
Read more about it
The Parc Animalier d'Auvergne is happy to announce the birth of two red varis babies born on April 25th! An extremely rare birth in a wildlife park, with only 22 births in Europe during the last 12 months. An event also crucial for the survival of the species, since the animal is in danger of extinction in its natural environment. In the park of Puy-de-Dôme, the red vari is part of a European breeding program that aims to maintain ...
The Auvergne offers several experiences to enjoy the Auvergne vineyards and their specificities. For all those who would like to join the territory in the beautiful days, several domains open their doors like the domain Sauvat of Boudes and the domain Jérôme Chapel located on the commune of Laps. This is an opportunity to discover the secrets of making great wines and to participate in tastings. There is also the Voltanics, an event that ...
Located in the heart of the natural site of the Chaîne des Puys, the Volcan de Lemptégy is a unique place in Europe. This year, the site celebrates its 30th anniversary and offers animations and special events throughout the summer season, including an explosive night tour this summer and lots of products in the store. In addition to these novelties, it is also the resumption of the visits of the interior of the volcano during 2h30 by ...
Volvic invites explorers of all ages to live an immersive and educational experience at the Espace Info Volvic. The place has a superb exhibition about the journey of the drop of Volvic natural mineral water and the way it is offered for tasting today. Educational panels and films inform about the sustainable actions implemented to preserve water resources and to face climate change. New in 2022, an immersion in the production site of Volvic ...
