Auvergne has a magical ability to intensify emotions and awaken senses that are often dormant.
At the heart of Auvergne's Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne and Parc Naturel Régional Livradois-Forez, the Puy-de-Dôme invites you to discover an incredible diversity of landscapes.
The gently curving volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys, the steep peaks and breathtaking views of the Sancy massif, the mountains and intimate forests of Livradois-Forez, the rivers, lakes and valleys of Combrailles, the hilltop villages with their southern accents of Pays d'Issoire, unusual museums : Aventure Michelin, cutlery museums, Vulcania and towns with a rich heritage such as Clermont-Ferrand, Riom, Vichy and Thiers, the thousand and one facets of this Massif Central region will delight visitors.
A land of volcanoes par excellence, the Puy-de-Dôme is a breath of fresh air!
Top 5 Charmhotel
1 - Chaîne des Puys - Faille de Limagne: UNESCO World Heritage site
One of the few places in the world where the entire process of continental break-up can be observed. It joins a prestigious list: the Grand Canyon, Kilimanjaro or the Great Barrier Reef...
The Plateau des Dômes, the Limagne fault, the Montagne de la Serre and the Chaîne des Puys are the main players in this exceptional geological drama.
The Chaîne des Puys, Europe's most diverse volcanic complex, comprises 80 volcanoes spread over 35 km.
Puy de Dôme, the giant of Auvergne
At 1,465 metres, it's far from being the highest peak in Auvergne, but it's certainly the most emblematic and well-known. Thanks to the Panoramique des Dômes, it's easy to get to know. Its summit offers a breathtaking 360° panorama of 80 volcanoes!
Lemptegy volcano
This Grand Site de France® offers an unusual journey and a complete change of scenery at the center of a singular volcano... It's a real open book, easy to decipher, revealing the secrets of volcanoes in a fun and interactive way.
2 - Vichy, queen of the spa towns
The only French spa to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vichy joins ten other Grandes Villes d'Eaux d'Europe®, including Baden-Baden, Spa and Bath...
Thermal, cultural, sporty and timeless, Vichy is where well-being takes root.
Historic and refined, its neighborhoods follow one another in quick succession: the thermal district with its century-old springs, the golden triangle, the Napoleon III chalets, the bandstand, the parks with their romantic influences and the banks of the Allier.
The highlight: the casino theater. The Opéra de Vichy is France's only Art Nouveau theater, and the second-largest opera house after Paris. This historic monument also houses a conference center and a museum considered by the Bibliothèque Nationale to be one of the richest collections in Europe.
All this is Vichy, and you've got to come and discover it!
3 - Auvergne crafts and traditions
Thiers knives: Seven centuries ago, in the Durolle valley, the knife was born!
The international capital of cutlery is distinguished by a history deeply rooted in the art of cutlery. Around 70% of French cutlery is made here, thanks to know-how handed down from generation to generation.
Le Moulin Richard de Bas: France's first living museum, a historic monument and a Living Heritage Company®.
The last “paper mill” in Auvergne still produces some 200 sheets of paper a day, for publishers, artists and other lovers of fine paper.
The Farges Mysteries: today's techniques to highlight the stories of yesteryear!
Ferme Bellonte, producer of AOC Saint-Nectaire for eight generations, opens its doors and their four caves reflect local history.
The stars here are the cheeses, of course, but also all the characters, more or less anonymous, who feature in the various scenographic animations.
An original staging using magic lanterns, slideshows and projections of all kinds!
4 - Saveurs d’Auvergne
Cuisine is part of the journey! A change of scenery can also be found on the plate, and the reputation of Auvergne gastronomy is well established...
Cabbage or cheese soup, potée, rapoutet, truffade, tripoux, Puy lentils, pounti, pachade, tarte de Vic, pompes: all these simple yet delicious specialties are synonymous with conviviality and authenticity!
In this mountainous region, cured meats are plentiful and delicious! Since 2015, Auvergne sausages and ham have been PGI protected.
Auvergne meat is considered one of the tastiest in France. Aubrac, Charolaise or Salers, here the choice is difficult...
With its five PDO cheeses: St Nectaire, Fourme d'Ambert, Cantal, Bleu d'Auvergne and Salers, as well as numerous specialities such as gaperon, savaron and artisou, Auvergne is France's finest cheeseboard!
A new wind is blowing through Auvergne wines! They're enjoying a veritable renaissance, and are inviting themselves onto the finest tables. And as an aperitif? a gentian or a birlou? A digestif perhaps with a Velay verbena...
What about water? Volvic, Vichy, Roxana, Chateldon, Ste Marguerite etc...
And let's not forget Vichy pastilles and fruit jellies: real Proust's madeleines for some!
5 - Moulin Bleu cabaret
To come to the Moulin Bleu cabaret is to enjoy an unforgettable experience in a legendary venue in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Created in 1998, the Moulin Bleu cabaret has stood the test of time and generations. The show on offer is a skilful blend of modernity and the greatest classics of Parisian music-hall.
Feathers, sequins, legs in the air, songs and good humor: this is where the Auvergne puts on its show in a breath of freedom and relaxation.
The Clos St Eloi team will work with you to design a personalized program to help your guests discover our magnificent Auvergne. We'll be delighted to share the region's must-see and unusual sites with you.
If you dream of cruising the back roads of the Auvergne in your classic car and discovering a village, a castle, breathtaking landscapes and panoramic roads offering breathtaking views of puys and lakes, Le Clos St Eloi is the ideal place to stay.
Auvergne and motorcyclists have a long history! With its graceful curves, small bends, vast wild plateaux, enigmatic volcanoes and majestic lakes, the roads seem to have been designed for the pleasure of riding...
Nearly 3,000 km of cycling and mountain-biking opportunities
Do you like hiking? You'll love Auvergne!
Are you organizing a family reception, business seminar or banquet in the Puy-de-Dôme region?
Heritage: medieval towns and villages, castles, churches and museums reflect the region's vibrant past and culture.
