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Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

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France, Puy de Dome, the Regional Natural Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne, Chaine des Puys, Orcines, the crater of Puy Pariou volcano (aerial view)

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Overview

The Auvergne鈥檚 most exhilarating views are among the volcanic cones, snow-lashed peaks and crater lakes of its Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans (www.parcdesvolcans.fr). One of France鈥檚 largest regional natural parks at 3897 sq km, this photogenic section of the Massif Central mountains is a geological jigsaw of granite plateaus and glacier-sculpted valleys, puckered by dozens of sleeping volcanoes.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Lac Pavin and forest.

    Lac Pavin

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    This midnight-blue crater lake, enclosed by a fuzz of pine trees, lies 6km southwest of Besse. Blasted out of the earth by a volcanic explosion nearly鈥�

  • Volcan de Lempt茅gy

    Volcan de Lempt茅gy

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Feel the Auvergne's smouldering terrain beneath your feet at this mined volcanic site, across the main road from amusement park Vulcania. In summer, at鈥�

  • Ch芒teau de Murol

    Ch芒teau de Murol

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Roosting on a basalt knoll above Murol village, the 12th-century Ch芒teau de Murol offers peerless views along with insights into a brutish medieval past鈥�

  • Fontaines P茅trifiantes

    Fontaines P茅trifiantes

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    The Papon family put St-Nectaire's hot springs to creative use at the 'Petrifying Fountains', channelling the mineral-rich waters to make art. Calcium鈥�

  • Roches Tuili猫re et Sanadoire

    Roches Tuili猫re et Sanadoire

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    One kilometre north of the turn-off to Lac de Gu茅ry is a lookout that gazes towards two of the Sancy region's most noteworthy geological features. The鈥�

  • Notre-Dame Basilica is a Romanesque Auvergnat church located in Orcival, France.

    Basilique Notre-Dame

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    The Romanesque basilica towering over Orcival is one of the most impressive churches in the Auvergne. With its octagonal tower and broad stone arches,鈥�

  • The medieval castle of Tournoel.

    Ch芒teau de Tourno毛l

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    This medieval fortress glowers over Volvic from its 600m-high hilltop perch. A watchtower is thought to have stood here since the 10th century, but the鈥�

  • Vulcania

    Vulcania

    Parc Naturel R茅gional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    The Auvergne's long-extinct volcanoes are brought back to life in spectacular style at Vulcania theme park, 15km west of Clermont on the D941. Combining鈥�

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