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 12/08/2021 to 12/11/2021 : After the cancellation of 2020, the Festival of Lights returns to the City of Gaul. For 4 evenings, the people of Lyon and those passing through ...
In the Ain, the charming spa town of Dionne-les-bains offers a rich programme for this autumn: cinema screenings; music/Jazz show Amélie les ...
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
Summer is about to end and for some, it's already time to think about the upcoming winter holidays. As we keep saying, booking in advance is the best way to secure a place in an accommodation, but also to take advantage of interesting rates. France and its mountain ranges are eager to welcome their first holidaymakers who have come to enjoy the pleasures of mountain walks and winter sports. In the Alps, Auvergne, Jura or Vosges, many ...
In Clermont-Ferrand, new players are now involved in providing the self-service bicycle and long-term rental service. It should be noted that the fleet has been renewed by recycling the old equipment. The current bikes are more robust, lighter and more comfortable. Long-term rental is still possible for mechanical bikes from the age of 16. New electrically-assisted bicycles will also be available to expand the range of services. 5 new ...
For the start of the new school year in 2021, Vulcania is unveiling its not-to-be-missed autumn news. Those who want to live a dynamic experience can start by getting on board Namazu, the park's first coaster built around the theme of earthquakes. They will also discover the monitoring and research laboratory of a team of seismologists. Also not to be missed is the film "In the eyes of Thomas Pesquet", shown on a giant screen, which allows ...
The Henri-Lecoq Museum is offering an exhibition on the techniques used by living beings to find their way around. By Man of course, with our physiological senses and tools such as the compass, compasses, maps and other GPS. But also by animals, bacteria and plants. The public will find about a hundred objects, naturalized specimens and educational models. They are then guided around the complex question of our bearings in space. This ...
