Located in the heart of the Puys mountain range, Vulcania is the gateway to the Auvergne. In its green setting, the Volcanoes and Planet Earth Exploration Park lifts the veil on volcanology, natural phenomena and Earth's place in space.

Peleans, strombolians, maars... composed of about 80 volcanic buildings, the Puys chain is the youngest chain in mainland France... even if some volcanoes have celebrated their 95,000 years! Since July 2018, along with the Limagne fault, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Baie d'Along and the Grand Canyon. These volcanoes are considered to be extinct, but scientists do not rule out the possibility of another eruption! Rest assured, this one is really tiny.

Not all the volcanoes of Auvergne are in the Puys chain. The Parc naturel régional des volcans d'Auvergne (PNRVA) extends to the Cantal mountains, which used to be the largest volcano in Europe

In the Auvergne, the landscapes pass and succeed one another. Valleys, mountains, lakes, forests, peat bogs create unique pictures throughout the seasons. Marmots, mouflons, chamois, live in the area. The sky is sometimes crossed by the flight of a Tengmalm's owl, a majestic kite or a grey shrike.

Family walks in the GR

To have a chance to see all these species, a hike is a must. Hiking trails are laid out, developed and maintained by the NNRVA throughout the entire area. Among the must-see trails, the muleteers' trail allows you to climb up (or down...) the puy de Dôme. To discover the different mounts, the loop of the Dômes is the perfect itinerary

On the side of the Sancy Massif, magnificent hikes await families and great sportsmen and women. The glacial valley of Chaudefour is home to a 6-hour hike. Chaîne des Puys, Livradois-Forez and Sancy can be seen from the ridges. The highest point of the Auvergne volcanoes and the Massif Central is at the top of the puy de Sancy. It culminates at an altitude of 1,885 metres. There are two hikes to reach it: starting from Mont Dore or from the resort of Super-Besse

In Auvergne, the puy de Dôme is crossed by two trails classified as "Grande Randonnée". The GR30 goes around the volcanoes of the Auvergne as well as the lakes and the GR441 goes around the Chaîne des Puys.

The Auvergne, a whole history

Vulcania, Lemptégy, the Panoramique des Dômes, the Parc naturel régional des volcans d'Auvergne allow you to discover the geological history. The story continues in Gergovie. This name is not unfamiliar to you? For good reason, the plateau was the seat of one of the great battles of the Gallic War between the Gallic armies of Vercingetorix and the Roman legions led by Julius Caesar. This battle is fully retraced in the Archaeological Museum of the Battle of Gergovia (the MAB) which opened its doors on the plateau last autumn

The era of the knights is also very present in the Auvergne. On the road to Sancy, the fortified castle of Murol stands proudly on its basalt promontory. Impressive building founded in the 12th century, it had a defensive role. Animations, games, shows are proposed every season. The immersion in the medieval period is total in the alleys of remarkable villages such as Montpeyroux, Billom, Besse and towns such as Thiers, Riom or Ambert. Doors, fortifications, mullioned windows, half-timbering, corbelling... all the architectural elements of this period are present, look up!

The thread of history continues to unfold around the Veygoux manor house, where the Revolution is in full swing through various events (films, shows, digital animations, exhibitions, games and workshops)

In Murat-le-Quaire, the 19th century takes place in the Maison de la Toinette, which shares the memories of his life, his family and the history of his village in the Auvergne, from 1830 to 1912. In Riom, the regional museum of Auvergne also retraces local life in the 19th century.

The Auvergne, from field to plate

At the time of Toinette, Auvergne cheeses were already being made and tasted. These ancestral skills have developed and the region now has 5 PDO cheeses: bleu d'Auvergne, cantal, fourme d'Ambert, saint-nectaire and salers. Some farms open their doors and the producers describe their work with pleasure. Local recipes, such as the inevitable truffade, are prepared with these cheeses, which can be tasted in local restaurants

Wine is also part of Auvergne's production. The first vineyards date back to the Gallo-Roman era. Gamay is the main grape variety of the PDO Côte-d'Auvergne. Another culinary speciality is arctic char, a fish living in volcanic lakes, particularly in the maars. It can be tasted in the restaurants of Sancy, Clermont-Ferrand..

The riches of the towns of Auvergne

Since the 19th century, the Michelin company has been involved in the development of the Auvergne capital. L'Aventure Michelin retraces this great tire epic under the cheerful eye of Bibendum

Nature enthusiasts will head for the Lecoq museum dedicated to science, local natural heritage: animals, insects, minerals... To find out more about the local stone known as Volvic stone, to be admired on the façades of the old centre and the majestic cathedral, go to the Maison de la pierre de Volvic to discover the bowels of the Auvergne volcanoes, and the exploitation of the quarry. A good complement to the visits of Vulcania and Lemptégy.

Art lovers will push the doors of the Roger Quillot Art Museum in Montferrand and the Mandet Museum in Riom, which presents collections of sculptures, paintings and decorative arts. The Bargoin Museum, which specialises in textile arts, is also a must-see. In the city centre, the 16th-century Fontfreyde Hotel houses a photographic centre. Contemporary art has a strong presence in the Creux de l'enfer in Thiers.

The Auvergne between sport and relaxation

Life in Clermont is punctuated by the rugby calendar. The ASM Experience offers a real immersion in the world of the "Yellow and Blue". This museum allows you to learn more about rugby and the history of this mythical club and even to visit the ASM stadium. A unique moment for fans of the oval

The Auvergne volcanoes form a huge playground for outdoor activities. Hiking, trail, mountain biking, horse riding, quad biking, cycling... the trails await the sportsmen. With the arrival of fine weather, water sports take the limelight to winter sports: canoeing, canyoning, wakeboarding, water skiing, sailing, can be practised. A few metres above the ground, adventure courses offer the first thrills with suspension bridges and zip-line descents. The difficulty rises with the via ferrata routes. Always higher, paragliding is also an original activity to discover volcanic lands! Departures are from the top of the puy de Dôme. In winter, many gliding activities are practised in the resorts. After a day of sport or discovery wandering through the narrow streets of towns and villages, it is good to take care of yourself. Head for the thermal baths and the benefits of Auvergne's waters: Royatonic, Châtel-Guyon, Mont-Dore, La Bourboule, Saint-Nectaire thermal baths... Outings, well-being stays or thermal cures, there is nothing like a stay in Auvergne to relax and recharge your batteries

Smart info

When? Vulcania opens from March 25 to November 1, 2020.

Getting there. By car (A71 direction Bordeaux, A75 direction Clermont-Ferrand, A89 direction Clermont-Ferrand), by train or bus (train and bus station in Clermont-Ferrand) or by plane (international airport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne), everything is possible.

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