The region
Exploring the Auvergne region...

Royat is an elegant spa town at the foot of the Puy-de-Dôme and at the gateway of the Auvergne Volcanoes Natural Park.
You can visit the old spa village, the Gallo-Roman thermal baths, the Bargoin park...


OT Royat Chamalières
Tél : (33) 4 73 29 74 70

...Nature and volcanoes...

The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park is home to the largest group of volcanoes in Europe : Monts Dômes, Monts Dore, the Cézallier, the Artense and the Monts du Cantal. And the landscapes are just as varied thanks to its puys, ridges, valleys and plateaus.
www.parc-volcans-auvergne.com

The Puy de Dôme culminates at 1,465 metres in the heart of a mountain range with 80 volcanoes.

Free individual or guided visits in the Summer.

Circular footpath for discovering the panorama Reception and information centre at the summit of the Puy-de-Dôme.

The Puy de Sancy, which is the culminating point of the Massif Central at 1886 metres, offers an extraordinary view of the region. You can reach it on foot or by cable car from the Mont Dore.

...The lakes...
Lac Chambon, Lac Pavin (see illustration on the right), Lac d'Aydat (see illustration on the left) ideal for fishing and swimming.

In addition to a visit of natural sites, Vulcania, the first scientific exploration park, also invites you to a fascinating discovery of the world of volcanoes and earth sciences.
The Puy de Lemptégy, a open-air volcano, for a visit on foot amidst the volcanoes...

...Heritage : villages, towns and castles...

Clermont-Ferrand

Listed as a City of Art. The visit of the old districts includes the cathedral, the Romanesque basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port, the Montferrand district and its Renaissance façades.

Maison du Tourisme : www.clermont-fd.com

11 villages in Auvergne have obtained the "most beautiful villages in France" classification, including 4 situated in the Puy-de-Dôme.
Montpeyroux and its 12th century dungeon (illustration on the left)
Saint-Floret, on the banks of the Couze Pavin,
Saint-Saturnin, with its arkose houses and its Romanesque church (illustration on the right)
Usson and its very beautiful panorama of the Monts Dore and the Puys mountain range.

Riom, City of Art and History, has preserved its very old districts, numerous private mansions and their elegant inner courtyards.

The Route des Châteaux d’Auvergne

The region has a particularly rich heritage, with more than 50 castles built in the Middle Ages (including 14 in the Puy-de-Dôme) and then under the reigns of the Dukes of Bourbon and Auvergne. The Route des Châteaux d'Auvergne is divided into six circuits.
http://www.route-chateaux-auvergne.org/

For more information :
Planète Puy de Dôme
Agence départementale de développement touristique
Place de la Bourse
63038 Clermont-Ferrand
Tél: 04 73 42 22 50
http://www.planetepuydedome.com/