700 km of footpaths – hike the volcanoes and potter around the plain
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to follow your nose along the flank of a volcano? Or to stretch out for a rest inside a crater after an invigorating walk? Now you can find out!
Unless you’d prefer to explore the Limagne Plain, taking in balcony view of the volcanoes from vantage points in completely unspoilt countryside? Best foot forward for a 360° experience of paradise for those who love the Great Outdoors.
PRETTY WALKS WLTM NATURE LOVERS
From the Enval Gorge to the Vallée de Sans Souci, from the Étang Grand at Pulvérières to Val de Morge and the Volcans d’Auvergne Regional Nature Park beyond, there are no end of walks in Puy de Dôme waiting to be explored. Simply download our GPX tracks, pack your knapsack and get out there and explore the Terra Volcana countryside !
A travers cette visite audio-guidée découvrez l'église Saint-Martin de Thuret, église romane du XIIème siècle, classée monument historique. Découvrez ses chapiteaux historiés et des ornements liés au culte de Saint Bénilde.
Pour vous accompagner tout au long de votre visite, vous aurez sur chaque point d'intérêt un texte descriptif, une piste de notre visite audio-guidée, et/ou des photos.
Partez à la découverte de la collégiale Saint-Martin de Thuret en flashant notre QR code !
Suivez à chaque étape les indications des pistes audio, elles vous mèneront à chaque point d'intérêt
Rejoignez le premier point : sur le parvis de l'église
Bonne visite !
En observant la façade occidentale avec du recul, on distingue parfaitement les contreforts, qui, de chaque côté, reflètent l’articulation intérieure de l’église, avec la nef et les bas-côtés. Écoutez notre guide qui va vous commenter cette façade.
Revenez ensuite sur vos pas, pour vous rendre à l’opposé, devant la façade Est.
Se dresse devant vous le chevet de l’église. Il s’agit là d’un chevet en trois parties qui se compose d’une abside semi-circulaire, au centre, avec ses 2 absidioles, semi-circulaires également, mais plus réduites, placées directement sur le clocher... Écoutez notre guide pour une description du clocher.
Retournez ensuite à l’entrée principale, devant le portail sud pour une dernière indication sur l'architecture extérieure de l'édifice.
Regardez le portail qui vous fait face et plus précisément le linteau historié, qui présente la pièce maitresse du programme iconographique de l’édifice.
Franchissez à présent le portail sud pour apprécier l’édifice de l’intérieur...
Laissez notre guide vous mettre en lumière toutes les curiosités que recèlent l'église Saint-Martin...
Pour terminer votre découverte, dirigez-vous vers la chapelle ou scintillent toujours quelques cierges et bougies pour en apprendre davantage sur un enfant du Pays, Saint Bénilde.
From gentle rambles to challenging hikes in puy de dôme
Looking for a family-friendly ramble with your children and grandparents ? Want to get a breath of fresh air with your friends ? Or are you out to push yourself to the max on a demanding mountain walk ? There is a huge variety of footpaths on offer here, all waymarked and regularly maintained. In Puy de Dôme you can follow a gentle ramble as easily as a long-distance footpath.
The important thing is to choose carefully, to avoid biting off more than you can chew. Keep in mind the length in kilometres and total ascent in metres given for each walk. Choosing a walk in Puy de Dôme that’s within your capabilities will bring the beautiful scenery and wildlife within easy reach, making the experience all the more enjoyable.
Be properly prepared
Whether you’re striking out on a big hike or pootling along on a gentle stroll in Puy de Dôme, it’s always a good idea to prepare properly. Don’t forget : you’re in the mountains. Before you set off, check the weather forecast – and don’t start off too late in the day. Take a bag with water, a hat and sun cream. Even though it may not feel like it, the sun is very strong in the mountains.
Spotlight on our scenic highlights : the chaîne des puys volcanoes
Wherever you’re out walking in Puy de Dôme, you can’t miss our sleeping giants, called Puys – the local name we give our mountains. Here, on the north face of this unique tectonic arena, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2018, the main peaks are Puy de Louchadière, Puy de Jumes et Coquille and Puy des Gouttes. And the endless views from the top are incredible – you won’t want to tear yourself away! One beautiful walk that starts in the hamlet of Beauregard gives you a wonderful introduction to these extinct volcanoes, rubbing shoulders with the famous Puy de Dôme just a few kilometres away. So set your alarm and make an early start – after all, it’s not every day you get to climb three volcanoes on a 15-kilometre walk!
A full-day walk ? A 2-day hike, camping overnight – or longer ? Our mountain leaders will give you an experience to write home about of the Chaîne des Puys Volcanoes !
“My favourite place in Terra Volcana ? It’s impossible to pick just one! Lots of beautiful places all over the area come to mind. I would have to say the summit of the Puy de la Coquille or Puy des Gouttes volcanoes (because of the stunning panorama you get), the peaceful Suc de la Louve beech woodlands and Latia woods (so much history!), and lastly, parts of the Chanat Forest, where there is such a rich biodiversity.”
Looking for a great walk near Châtel-Guyon ? Slip a bottle of water in you knapsack, lace up your walking boots and set off along the River Ambène !
At Enval, you follow this rocky river upstream, climbing through the chestnut forest, with gorgeous views along the way of the Château de Tournoël against a backdrop of the Chaîne des Puys Volcanoes.
And the views here are for everyone ! This protected nature area of special ecological, flora and fauna interest is accessible to walkers of all abilities.
There a lots of different footpaths – of varying lengths and difficulties.
So exploring here is a family-friendly activity too !
Need to cool down ? This walk takes you to the Petit and Grand Gornand waterfalls, and later ‘Le Bout du Monde’ (the End-of-the-World Waterfall) !
Did you know that the 19th century novelist Guy de Maupassant liked to come here ? He described the Gorge as “a curious stretch of valley, […] ending in a wild and magnificent gorge of a jumble of fallen and teetering rocks, cut by a stream that cascades over the giant boulders, forming a small lake in front of each one.”
Why not follow in his footsteps ?
My favourite place in Terra Volcana, if I had to pick just one, would be Enval Gorge. I love this place for all sorts of reasons. In summer the gorge is lovely and cool, and in autumn the oak and chestnut trees turn a beautiful golden colour. You can still walk there in winter, observing forest life by picking up the tracks of the wildlife that lives there. And in spring, the sunrise there is a sight to behold.
Didier SAUVESTRE
Qualified Mountain Leader and Mountain Biking Instructor. Joëlette trekking chair walks for disabled explorers
VOLVIC AND SURROUNDING AREA, WHERE NATURE RULES THE ROOST
Are you looking for adventure, with your friends or family ? And are you a fan of hiking to boot ? Then head for Volvic to spend time in the Parc de la Source ! Here, not only do you get to see the famous Clairvic Spring, you can also choose from a host of footpaths that explore the Impluvium and Volvic Quarries and Caves Nature Reserve.
You can wander at will around this vast area of unspoilt countryside where Volvic mineral water comes from and get up close and personal with the fifteen or so species of bat that call this place home.
Many of the trails give you endless panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys Volcanoes close by, and every year the famous Volvic Volcanic Experience trail run takes place here.
Still not had your fill ? Then stop off in Tournoël to see the iconic castle. Here too, there are lots of lovely walks taking in Châtel-Guyon and Volvic, some of which treat you to stunning aerial views. Take in the vista from the monumental statue of Notre-Dame de La Garde !
My favourite place in Terra Volcana? Tournoël and the surrounding area. This volcanic region was shaped over more than 350 million years and has a fascinating geological history, resulting in the Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault Tectonic Arena. This once ash-covered region is now green and lush, a fabulous playground packed with both natural and cultural interest. Come and see this completely unspoilt region for yourself.
This place is known not for its bats (although you can often see them here) but for its wild orchids – with no fewer than 21 species found in the unspoilt countryside here, home to a remarkable diversity of environments.
Meadows, oak forest, chestnut woods, wetlands… this area just outside Riom has everything it needs to make it a haven for biodiversity.
Mirabel Hill is like a Garden of Eden with, believe it or not, 62 butterfly species and 47 bird species spotted here !
The best time to see them is May and June, along the famous Orchid Trail, rich with vibrant colours in a stunning display announcing the return of summer.
THE LOWLANDS : A MOSAIC OF LANDSCAPES
The footpaths exploring the low-lying hills dotting the Limagne Plain have a very different feel, but are no less worthwhile for that. They take you to the mottes of castles long gone that still offer tremendous views, pleasing, bucolic hillsides and the River Allier, one of Europe’s last truly wild great rivers.
Start by climbing the mottes of Montpensier and Montgacon, for breathtaking views of the Limagne Plain and Chaîne des Puys Volcanoes beyond. Here, nature rules the roost and the countryside invites you to let go and soak up the peace and quiet.
Now that you’ve relaxed into your holiday, you can head for Artonne to walk along the flank of Puy Saint-Jean, taking in the nature trail put in place by the Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels d’Auvergne. There is an arboretum and conservation orchard here, and you’ll also learn all about the local winegrowing tradition and history of these Limagne hillsides.
If your ambitions stretch to the long version of this walk in Puy de Dôme, then why not follow the Palm Cross Trail on Puy Saint-Jean ? This hillside walk of around 10 kilometres through unspoilt countryside explores Puy de Bedeuil and the many stone quarries that were once worked there. And the icing on the cake? The stunning sunset you are treated to on a fine day !
