Sustainable destinations and slow tourism

Terra Volcana, a slow destination by nature

Take your time, savour the moment, reconnect with what’s essential… Welcome to Terra Volcana! Between the puys, the springs, the characterful villages and the farmers’ markets, our destination is a natural invitation to slow down.

Accessible by train via Riom-Châtel-Guyon station and served by regional and city bus networks, check out our recommendations on how to get here and get around.

A veritable playground for hiking and cycling enthusiasts, the region is criss-crossed by three recognised routes: the GTMC and Via Allier on the cycling side and the GR®441 for hiking.

Terra Volcana is also an ideal destination for touring in a van or camper van, with its abundant nature and wide-open spaces.

Although wild camping is prohibited in the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d’Auvergne, bivouacs are tolerated under certain conditions.

Don’t leave without visiting one of our local farmers’ markets, short-cycle restaurants or organic wine producers: the slow spirit is cultivated both on the plate and in the encounters.

Good practice during your stay

Terra Volcana encourages you to take simple, responsible steps to travel differently.

Take advantage of off-peak periods: visit out of season for a more serene and authentic experience.
Opt for a longer stay: slow down, explore in depth and shorten your journeys
Leave early: morning visits are more enjoyable and less crowded
Favour soft mobility: bus, bike, walk, etc.
Respect nature: stick to the paths, keep your rubbish to yourself and admire without disturbing it.
Reduce your waste: use a water bottle and locate water points with theFreetaps app
Preserve protected areas: our territory includes the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne, a Nature Reserve and several Sensitive Natural Areas.

A committed Office

On a daily basis, the Terra Volcana Tourist Office implements concrete actions in favour of sustainable development:

Dematerialised media: all our documents are available to download from thebrochures area. Our press and partner kits are also available in digital format.
Eco-gestures in the office: actions and recommendations on behaviour and use have been put in place for employees
Responsible printing: less paper, more QR codes, fewer mailings and optimised management of volumes to limit waste
Responsible shops: many references to local products, crafts, produced in the area or in the immediate vicinity

Coup de ♥ Did you know?

In 2025, over 30% of purchasesin our shops were local or artisanal products.

21 local artisan suppliers and producers are listed in our shops.

Support Working with our partners to promote sustainable tourism

Because sustainable tourism has to be built collectively, the Tourist Office is supporting the region’s professionals in their transition by providing :

The Espace Pro: online resources with useful content for information and inspiration.
Regular support workshops on different themes
A range of resources to help you take action, such asinformation on public grants.

We promote service providers with environmental labels (Clef Verte, Accueil Vélo, etc.) by highlighting them in our various communications and using a“Labels” filter in our online search engines.