Travel Guide La Tour-D'Auvergne

La Tour-d'Auvergne is a charming village surrounded by greenery, streams and waterfalls. The commune's name derives from a watchtower erected near the village in Roman times. The de La Tour d'Auvergne family lived in a château on the site of the public garden, of which only a small section of wall remains. In the 13th century, the famous family left the site for good, settling in Saint-Saturnin, in the Sarthe region. A number of its members have nevertheless left their mark on history, including France's Queen Catherine de Médicis, daughter of Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne. Another special feature of La Tour d'Auvergne is the Notre-Dame-de-Natzy chapel, topped by a full-length Virgin Mary. It was built on the mound of Natzy in 1870, following a miraculous cure. The town's geological heritage is also exceptional. The commune is also part of the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne. In the village, to the left of the church, you'll find the "orgues", the result of a basaltic flow. At their summits, prism-like shapes take shape. To see this phenomenon, head towards the foirail to the chaussée des géants. The lake and the small winter sports resort, Domaine Nordique de la Stèle, make this a pleasant and tranquil holiday destination. Swimming, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing...: here, outdoor activities are king.