Looking for things to do in Auvergne? Climb to the summit of the Puy de Dôme, explore the UNESCO-listed Chaîne des Puys, visit Vulcania or the Lemptégy volcano, discover Clermont-Ferrand and its black-stone cathedral, swim in Lac Chambon, hike in the Sancy massif and on the Puy Mary, then wander through Salers and Le Puy-en-Velay. To visit Auvergne, allow 4 days to a week; the best time is June to September. After the volcanoes and the Sancy, the high Alps call for different preparation: see our guide to a stay in Chamonix.
In the heart of the Massif Central, Auvergne brings together the Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Allier departments. Since 2016 it has been part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, but the name still designates this land of volcanoes, lakes, summer pastures and spa towns. It is a destination for nature and hiking, Romanesque heritage and cheese. This guide presents the must-see places, itineraries from 3 days to a week, transport, where to stay and the month-by-month climate according to Météo-France.
Near Clermont-Ferrand, our page on climbing the Puy de Dôme compares the rack railway and the trails to the summit.
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The Puy de Dôme (1,465 m, or 4,806 ft) is the symbol of Auvergne. You climb it on foot by the Chemin des Muletiers or ride the Panoramique des Dômes rack railway from its station at the foot of the volcano; according to the Puy-de-Dôme department’s official site (checked 26 October 2026), the road is reserved for service and emergency vehicles, and the path and the train can close for works or maintenance. At the top, the view takes in the Chaîne des Puys, a line of about 80 volcanoes, and the Limagne plain. Together with the Limagne fault, this ensemble has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. Other puys are easy climbs: the Puy de Pariou and its perfect crater, the Puy de Côme or the Puy de la Vache.
Vulcania and the Lemptégy volcano
To understand volcanoes, two neighboring sites complement each other. Vulcania, a science theme park, mixes films, exhibitions and rides about the planet and volcanism; it suits families well. The Lemptégy volcano is a former volcano worked as a quarry, visited on foot or by small train: you see the inside of a volcanic cone. Book in high season and check opening periods, as these sites close for part of the winter.
In the heart of the volcanoes, our guide to visiting Vulcania details the calendar, prices and minimum heights for rides.
Clermont-Ferrand
The Auvergne capital can be visited in a day. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, built of Volvic stone, a dark lava, dominates the old town. The Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port is one of the great Romanesque churches of Auvergne, UNESCO-listed as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. Place de Jaude, the lanes of the center and the Montferrand district complete the visit; L’Aventure Michelin tells the story of the company founded in the city. Nearby, the Gergovie plateau and its museum recall the battle won by Vercingetorix.
The Sancy massif and the lakes
South of the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif rises to 1,886 m (6,188 ft) at the Puy de Sancy, the highest peak of the Massif Central. A cable car from Le Mont-Dore takes you close to the summit. Volcanic lakes abound: the round, deep Lac Pavin, Lac Chambon with a beach and supervised swimming in summer, Lac de Guéry and Lac de Servières. The villages of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, Murol and its castle, Saint-Nectaire and its Romanesque church, and Orcival and its basilica make good stops along the way.
The Cantal: Puy Mary, Salers and the Monts du Cantal
The Cantal is home to Europe’s largest ancient volcano, whose valleys radiate around the Puy Mary (1,783 m, or 5,850 ft), a Grand Site de France. The Pas de Peyrol road, very busy in summer, leads to the start of a short trail to the summit; it is closed in winter. Salers, a village of volcanic stone with Renaissance houses, gave its name to a breed of cattle and a cheese. Le Lioran, in the heart of the Monts du Cantal, is the region’s main ski resort.
In the Allier, our guide to visiting Le PAL details prices and which rides suit which children’s heights.
Le Puy-en-Velay
In the Haute-Loire, Le Puy-en-Velay is built on volcanic pinnacles. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, one of the great starting points of the Way of St. James, the Notre-Dame de France statue on the Rocher Corneille and the Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe chapel, perched on a needle of lava, form a unique ensemble. The town is also known for its lace and its green lentils.
Vichy and the spa towns
In the Allier, Vichy was a great spa resort. Its Parc des Sources, covered galleries, opera house and villas bear witness to that era; the town is one of the « Great Spa Towns of Europe » inscribed by UNESCO in 2021. Further south, La Bourboule, Le Mont-Dore, Châtel-Guyon and Royat are other spa towns.
Villages and castles
Auvergne has many villages of character and castles: Thiers, the cutlery capital, built on a hillside; Usson, Montpeyroux and Blesle; Murol Castle, a fortress on a mound; the Château d’Anjony at Tournemire, in the Cantal. Romanesque churches (Issoire, Orcival, Saint-Nectaire) dot the region.
Auvergne food
Auvergne has five PDO cheeses: Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, Salers, Fourme d’Ambert and Bleu d’Auvergne. At the table, try truffade (potatoes with fresh tome cheese), potée auvergnate (a pork and cabbage stew) and pounti. Farms in the Sancy and the Cantal often offer visits to their ripening cellars and direct sales.
Itinerary ideas for Auvergne
3 days around Clermont-Ferrand
Day 1: Clermont-Ferrand, the cathedral, Notre-Dame-du-Port and Montferrand
Day 2: the Puy de Dôme in the morning, Vulcania or Lemptégy in the afternoon
Day 3: the Puy de Pariou, then Lac de Guéry and Orcival
A week in Auvergne
Days 1 and 2: Clermont-Ferrand and the Chaîne des Puys
Day 3: Vulcania or Lemptégy, Volvic
Day 4: the Sancy massif, Le Mont-Dore and the Puy de Sancy
Day 5: Lac Pavin, Besse, Lac Chambon, Murol and Saint-Nectaire
Day 6: the Puy Mary and Salers
Day 7: Le Puy-en-Velay
Distances are modest but mountain roads are slow: plan short stages. Our tips for a successful road trip help you prepare the loop.
When to go to Auvergne: month-by-month climate
The best time is June to September for hiking, the lakes and the mountain roads. The climate varies a lot: in Clermont-Ferrand, in the Limagne plain sheltered from westerly winds, rainfall is low (563 mm, or 22.2 in, a year according to Météo-France) and summers are hot; in the mountains it is much cooler, wetter, and snow covers the summits in winter. Summer thunderstorms are frequent over the high ground.
Month
High
Low
Rain
Crowds
Prices
Verdict
January
8.0 °C (46 °F)
0.6 °C (33 °F)
26.6 mm (1.0 in)
Low (skiing)
Low
⚠️ Cold; skiing and snowshoeing in the mountains
February
9.5 °C (49 °F)
0.6 °C (33 °F)
18.7 mm (0.7 in)
Medium (winter school holidays)
Medium
⚠️ Ski season, mountain passes sometimes closed
March
13.7 °C (57 °F)
3.0 °C (37 °F)
26.1 mm (1.0 in)
Low
Low
⚠️ Snow at altitude, milder plain
April
16.6 °C (62 °F)
5.3 °C (42 °F)
51.1 mm (2.0 in)
Low
Low
⚠️ Spring, sites reopening
May
20.5 °C (69 °F)
9.1 °C (48 °F)
66.5 mm (2.6 in)
Medium
Medium
✅ Green landscapes, few people
June
24.2 °C (76 °F)
12.6 °C (55 °F)
67.5 mm (2.7 in)
Medium
Medium
✅ Long days, flowering pastures
July
26.8 °C (80 °F)
14.5 °C (58 °F)
63.3 mm (2.5 in)
High
High
✅ Lakes, hiking, possible storms
August
26.8 °C (80 °F)
14.4 °C (58 °F)
62.0 mm (2.4 in)
High
High
✅ Peak season, book ahead
September
22.5 °C (73 °F)
10.9 °C (52 °F)
57.5 mm (2.3 in)
Medium
Medium
✅ Ideal for hiking, fewer people
October
17.8 °C (64 °F)
8.3 °C (47 °F)
48.8 mm (1.9 in)
Low
Low
⚠️ Fall colors, cool nights
November
12.0 °C (54 °F)
3.9 °C (39 °F)
46.2 mm (1.8 in)
Very low
Low
❌ Grey, sites closed
December
8.6 °C (47 °F)
1.4 °C (35 °F)
29.1 mm (1.1 in)
Low
Low
❌ Cold, first snow in the mountains
Temperatures and precipitation: Météo-France 1991-2020 normals, Clermont-Ferrand station (331 m / 1,086 ft). In the mountains (Sancy, Monts du Cantal), temperatures are much lower. Crowds and prices: estimate based on tourist seasons.
Spring (April-June): green landscapes and flowering meadows; snow can linger on the summits into spring, and some sites only reopen at Easter.
Summer (July-August): the fullest season, with lake swimming and mountain passes open; the headline sites (Puy de Dôme, Puy Mary, Vulcania) are very busy.
Fall (September-October): September is ideal for hiking; in October, the colors of the forest and pastures make up for shorter days.
Winter (December-March): downhill skiing at Le Mont-Dore, Super-Besse and Le Lioran, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; some mountain passes are closed.
For July-August and winter holidays in the resorts, book ahead.
Getting to and around Auvergne
By train: Intercités trains link Paris-Bercy station with Clermont-Ferrand; check journey times with SNCF. See our tips for cheap train travel.
By air: Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne airport has a few routes; check them with the airport. Lyon airport offers more connections.
By car: essential for the volcanoes, the lakes, the Cantal and the villages; the A71 and A75 motorways serve Clermont-Ferrand. GOV.UK reminds drivers that winter tyres or chains are compulsory in certain mountain areas from 1 November to 31 March.
In Clermont-Ferrand: the tram and buses are enough to visit the city.
Puy de Dôme: the road is closed to private vehicles; you go up on foot or by the Panoramique des Dômes.
Entry requirements, health and safety
US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025): you may enter the Schengen area, including France, for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa; your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay, and officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket.
UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026): no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist; your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented: fingerprints and a photo may be taken at your first entry, free of charge.
Health: take out travel insurance that covers medical costs; UK residents can also use a GHIC or a valid EHIC (GOV.UK). The State Department advises being up to date on CDC-recommended vaccinations.
Mountains: GOV.UK advises checking weather forecasts, not hiking alone, leaving your itinerary with someone and making sure your insurance covers mountain rescue; check avalanche risk on the Météo-France website in winter.
Emergencies: 112 (European emergency number), 15 for medical emergencies (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK).
Practical tips for Auvergne
Mountain weather: even in summer, take a warm jacket and rain protection for the summits; afternoon thunderstorms are frequent.
Hiking: stay on marked trails, especially on the volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys, which are vulnerable to erosion.
Opening times: many sites (Vulcania, Lemptégy, Panoramique des Dômes) have closing periods: check before you go.
Mountain passes: the Pas de Peyrol and other passes are closed in winter.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in Auvergne in 3 days?
Clermont-Ferrand on day one, the Puy de Dôme and Vulcania or Lemptégy on day two, then the Puy de Pariou, Lac de Guéry and Orcival on day three.
What is the best time to visit Auvergne?
June to September. In Clermont-Ferrand, average highs reach 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F) from June to August according to Météo-France 1991-2020 normals; in the mountains it is cooler and thunderstorms are frequent.
How can you visit Auvergne without a car?
Intercités trains link Paris-Bercy with Clermont-Ferrand. Once there, Clermont and the Puy de Dôme can be reached without a car, but you need one for the lakes and the Cantal.
What can families do in Auvergne?
Vulcania, the Lemptégy volcano, the Panoramique des Dômes, swimming at Lac Chambon and easy walks such as the Puy de Pariou or the loop around Lac Pavin.
What are the most beautiful villages in Auvergne?
Salers, Blesle, Usson, Montpeyroux, Orcival, Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise and Saint-Saturnin are among the most visited.
Can you ski in Auvergne?
Yes: Le Mont-Dore and Super-Besse in the Sancy, Le Lioran in the Cantal, plus cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the plateaus.
Our sources
Météo-France: climate data sheet, 1991-2020 statistics, Clermont-Ferrand station (altitude 331 m)
Train: Wikipedia, « Gare de Clermont-Ferrand » article (Intercités service to Paris-Bercy), checked October 2026
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