Discovering the Chaîne des Puys
Have you always wanted to see a volcano in real life?
The Chaîne des Puys opens its doors to you during your stay.
A volcanic region of France
The Auvergne region has more than 80 volcanoes on its territory. These were formed during the creation of the Alps. The vast fissures were filled with magma and the Chaine des Puys gradually spread out.
Today, this unique natural site in France is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne.
There are a number of volcanoes not to be missed during your visit to the Dôme mountains, including :
- The Puy de Sancy which is the highest volcano in the Puys chain;
- The Puy-de-Dôme ;
- The Volcano of Lemptégy;
- The Tartaret volcano...
Visit the Chaîne des Puys
All year round, visitors are expected to visit the site also known as the Faille de Limagne. Not all the volcanoes are accessible to the public. However, there are many signposted walks to see them up close. Day hikers can easily find a path that suits them in terms of distance and time.
Alternatively, you can take the cogwheel train, the Panoramique des Dômes, which takes you to the top of the Puy-de-Dôme. The viewpoint offers a splendid panorama of the volcanoes, but also of the Massif du Sancy.
Another well-known way to visit the Parc des Volcans d'Auvergne is to explore the theme park on the subject, Vulcania. Learn about the magma formations, their evolution and their daily life on the site in a fun way. Afterwards, take part in numerous activities and exhibitions.
All the information you need to know
If you choose to observe the volcanoes on foot, several rules must be respected:
- Do not throw paper on the site to preserve it as it is;
- Always stay on the indicated paths;
- Read the safety instructions at the park entrance;
- Only drive on authorized roads...
