Natural wonders · Puy-de-Dôme
1 Les Roches Tuilière et de Sanadoire
In the deep, wooded cirque of the Chausse, two great monoliths spring up, the Tuilière and Sanadoire rocks.
View full page →Waterfalls and volcanoes of Auvergne in 3 days
Auvergne is a land of extinct volcanoes, crater lakes, plateaux and waterfalls. This itinerary brings together three days of walks and natural sites in the Puy-de-Dôme, the Cantal and Haute-Loire.
A volcanic territory
Auvergne owes its landscapes to a long volcanic history. The Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif and the Cantal massif are former volcanoes, now extinct, whose shapes, eroded by glaciers, form valleys, cirques and plateaux.
This history also explains the presence of crater lakes, cooled lava flows, basalt rocks and mineral springs. The landscapes are varied, with meadows, fir forests and open ridges.
Waterfalls for every taste
The waterfalls of Auvergne are numerous and varied. Some fall in sheets over basalt cliffs, others rush down wooded gorges. Several are accessible after a few minutes' walk, which makes them ideal family outings.
Their flow varies greatly with the season and the weather. In spring or after heavy rain, they are impressive. In late summer or in dry periods, some can be almost dry: find out before you go.
Heritage and villages
Beyond nature, Auvergne has many castles, Romanesque churches, characterful villages and spa towns. Auvergne Romanesque is one of the most remarkable expressions of the region's medieval art, with its volcanic-stone churches.
The villages, often built of dark stone, have a special charm. You can taste local cheeses such as Cantal, Saint-Nectaire and Fourme d'Ambert, and mountain charcuterie.
Itinerary tips
Three days let you discover several areas: the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif, the Cantal mountains and Haute-Loire. Group sites by proximity and do not plan too many visits per day, as roads are slow.
The itinerary below brings together the best-rated natural sites in the catalogue, with a few heritage stops. Stay flexible: in bad weather, favour towns and churches.
Our day-by-day itinerary
The map shows the numbered stops in visiting order, with one colour per day. The line follows the roads where available; otherwise it joins the stops as the crow flies. Distances and times are approximate (by car, without traffic).
Day 1 — Les Roches Tuilière et de Sanadoire to Pyramides - Vallée des Saints
This day brings together 4 sites close to each other: natural wonders, lakes and monuments. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Driving for the day: about 109.2 km, or 2 h 16 behind the wheel in total (excluding visits).
↓ 20.6 km · about 31 min by car to the next stop
Natural wonders · Puy-de-Dôme
2 Le Puy de la Vache
The Puy de la Vache and Lassolas are two twin volcanoes with breached craters. Fluid lava flows carried away half of the craters.
View full page →↓ 37.2 km · about 45 min by car to the next stop
Lakes · Puy-de-Dôme
3 Le Lac Pavin
Due to a powerful volcanic explosion, Lac Pavin is a crater lake carved on the north flank of the Puy de Montchal (1,411 m).
View full page →↓ 51.4 km · about 59 min by car to the next stop
Monuments · Puy-de-Dôme
4 Pyramides - Vallée des Saints
The Valley of the Saints, an Auvergne mini-Colorado, owes its name to its great penitents (10 to 30 m high!) that emerge from the vegetation – the clash of materials and colours is striking.
View full page →Day 2 — Salers to Statue Notre-Dame de France
This day brings together 3 sites close to each other: villages, castles and monuments. It passes through Le Puy-en-Velay. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Driving for the day: about 163.7 km, or 2 h 41 behind the wheel in total (excluding visits).
Villages · Cantal
5 Salers
It was around the castle of the barons of Salers that the town grew up, and it was in the fifteenth century that the ramparts were built to protect against the English.
View full page →↓ 153.5 km · about 2 h 27 by car to the next stop
Castles · Haute-Loire
6 Château de Saint vidal
An imposing fortress in the Borne valley, fief of the La Tour de Saint-Vidal family.
View full page →↓ 10.2 km · about 14 min by car to the next stop
Monuments · Le Puy-en-Velay
7 Statue Notre-Dame de France
A monumental statue of the Virgin and Child cast from the iron of cannons captured at Sevastopol, dominating Le Puy-en-Velay from the top of the Corneille Rock.
View full page →Day 3 — Cascade de la Baume to Château de Rochebaron
This day brings together 5 sites close to each other: natural wonders, castles and waterfalls. It passes through Les Estables. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Driving for the day: about 144.8 km, or 2 h 51 behind the wheel in total (excluding visits).
Waterfalls · Haute-Loire
8 Cascade de la Baume
A magnificent 30 m waterfall (the largest in Haute-Loire) tumbling from a basalt cliff.
View full page →↓ 14.3 km · about 24 min by car to the next stop
Natural wonders · Haute-Loire
9 Le Dyke d'Arlempdes
A strange rock topped by a feudal castle 80 metres above the Loire. An old lava flow "moulded" in a fissure, then cleared by erosion.
View full page →↓ 39.7 km · about 44 min by car to the next stop
Natural wonders · Les Estables
10 Mont Mézenc
A former volcano peaking at 1,753 metres on the border of Haute-Loire and Ardèche, Mont Mézenc offers one of the widest panoramas of the Massif Central. In clear weather, the gaze reaches the Alps and the Cévennes.
View full page →↓ 60.4 km · about 1 h 07 by car to the next stop
Castles · Haute-Loire
11 Le château de Chalencon
Occupied today largely by the presbytery, the castle has undergone many alterations but retains real interest.
View full page →↓ 30.4 km · about 36 min by car to the next stop
Castles · Haute-Loire
12 Château de Rochebaron
From the end of a ridge, the Château de Rochebaron overlooks the Loire gorges. Probably built by the lords of Rochebaron in the eleventh century, the castle was reworked in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, before being abandoned under Louis XIV.
View full page →When to go
Spring and early summer are the best times for waterfalls, which then have a strong flow. Summer is ideal for the mountains, but storms are frequent at the end of the day. Winter is snowy at altitude, with roads sometimes closed.
Getting around
A car is essential: sites are scattered and mountain roads are slow. Plan short walks for most waterfalls. Check the condition of mountain roads before you go, especially out of season.
Our tips
- Wear shoes with good grip: trails are often damp.
- Bring warm clothes, even in summer.
- Start early to avoid storms and enjoy the light.
- Stay on the paths: the volcanic environment is fragile.
If you have more time
Natural wonders · Cantal
Plomb du Cantal
Highest point of the Cantal mountains at 1,855 metres, reached by cable car from the Lioran resort, with a 360° panorama over the whole Massif Central.
Natural wonders · Puy-de-Dôme
Le Puy de Dôme
The Puy de Dôme is a dormant volcano of the Chaîne des Puys, in the Massif Central. It is about fifteen kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand and gave its name to the Puy-de-Dôme département.
Waterfalls · Cantal
Cascade de Faillitoux
The lava came out through a fissure and diverted the Faillitoux. The river found its bed and took its place again. The waterfall crosses a basalt flow (vertically prismatic) with large crystals of pyroxene and olivine.
Natural wonders · Puy-de-Dôme
Tourbière de la Plaine Jacquot
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.
Waterfalls · Puy-de-Dôme
Cascade de Queureuilh
A few minutes from Queureuilh, a suburb north of Le Mont-Dore: a waterfall over basalt organ pipes.
Castles · Haute-Loire
Château de Lespinasse
The fortified castle of Lespinasse existed at the start of the twelfth century. Still inhabited, it has escaped destruction and poor restorations.
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