At Cotteuges, in the Puy-de-Dôme, not far from the road to Besse-en-Chandesse, stands a natural curiosity of a kind found often in Auvergne: a 'fairy chimney'.
During volcanic eruptions a mass of lava was thrown into the air and fell onto clay soil. Erosion by rain, snow and runoff washed away the clay except beneath the huge block of basalt, which now sits on top of a column of earth.
The Petrifying Fountains of Saint-Nectaire use hot springs (52°C) particularly rich in calcium carbonate to make limestone bas-reliefs.
This glacial valley, protected since 1991, holds rare flora and discreet fauna, including chamois, at the foot of the Puy de Sancy. Its spectacular relief, bristling with volcanic pinnacles, makes it one of the most popular nature reserves in Auvergne.
Highest point of the Massif Central at 1,885 metres, the Puy de Sancy overlooks the Monts Dore with its volcanic silhouette. Reached by gondola from Le Mont-Dore, it offers one of the widest panoramas in Auvergne.
In the deep, wooded cirque of the Chausse, two great monoliths spring up, the Tuilière and Sanadoire rocks.
At the place called La Godivelle (Lac d'en Bas). A discovery trail lets you discover the fauna and flora of one of the most interesting peat bogs in Auvergne.
The Puy de la Vache and Lassolas are two twin volcanoes with breached craters. Fluid lava flows carried away half of the craters.