Mystical and Mythical Peaks

Start your day with a last visit to Clermont-Ferrand by going to Fontaine d'Amboise. Inspired by the art of the Italian Renaissance, it was commissioned in 1515 by Jacques d'Amboise, Bishop of Clermont from 1505 to 1516.

As you drive towards the Chaîne des Puys, stop at the thermal park of Royat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The thermal district is typical of the Villes d'Eaux of the Belle Époque, and Royat retains a certain taste for entertainment from this period, with the presence of the casino and the theatre. Enjoy a walk around the area and admire the remains of the Gallo-Roman baths, discovered in 1876, or the Eugenie refreshment room with its blue mosaics.

Although a bit touristy, the mythic Puy de Dôme is the highest volcano in the Puys chain, at 1465 metres above sea level.
The peak can be reached by foot or via the Panoramique des Dômes, an electric cogwheel train that winds its way to the top in 15 minutes.
Check the timetable and the prices on their official website.

As you're heading to the top of the Puy de Dôme, you’ll have a general view of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park with the entire Puys chain, the Dore mountains, and the Cantal mountains. From up there, you can also see the town of Clermont-Ferrand and, further on, the Forez mountains.
Enjoy a walk around, take some pictures and, above all, a great breath of fresh air.

Head to Le Resto d'Epicure, a bistronomic restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Sancy mountains. You can enjoy a spectacular panorama while tasting homemade cuisine, where the emphasis is on regional products and revisited traditional recipes.
Make sure to book a table beforehand. You can find all the details on their official website.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Return to the Panoramique des Dômes and take the train down the mountain to your car.
Check the timetable and the prices on their official website.

Park your car at Parking Puy de la Vache and Puy de Lassolas and get ready for the next two volcanoes of the day. These two twin volcanoes, born of the same eruption, share a characteristic: they are gutted, which means that their craters are not closed. The red soil will make you feel like you’re walking on the planet Mars!

Enjoy a walk on the first peak at le Puy de la Vache. This volcano culminates at an altitude of 1,167 metres, and its main lava flow, along with that of the Puy de Lassolas, is known as the Cheire d’Aydat.

Keep making your way up to the other volcano: the Puy de Lassolas. This volcano rises to an altitude of 1187 metres, and is known as "the burnt one" because of its colour, which ranges from red (for those parts exposed to the heat of the crater, which has caused them to oxidise) to black.

Make your way back to your car while enjoying the view one last time and taking a big deep breath of fresh air.

You’ll end your day at a gastronomic restaurant located in the beautiful village of Mont-Dore. Enjoy fine regional food in a warm, country-style setting. Everything is homemade by the two chefs and owners of the place, Annette and Christophe.
Make sure to book a table in advance. You can find all the details on their official website.
Opening Hours: Thursday – Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m., 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Tuesday–Wednesday: Closed

Spend the night in an unusual guest room facing the Puy de Sancy. The stay promises to be unique: you’ll return to the essential and a connection with the beauty of nature. Attached to a farm, the Sancy Yurt is without Wi-Fi and electricity (solar lantern and candles provided) and the private bathroom is on the farm.
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