Relaxing in the Massif Central

Relaxing in the Massif Central

Itineraries in France

Itineraries in France

Travel Guide > Itineraries > Themes > Relaxing in the Massif Central
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Day 1
Depart from Vichy towards first stopping placeTime
8 min
Vichy
The queen of spa towns
TIme
3 hr 05
Famous since Gallo-Roman times for the healing and therapeutic properties of its springs, the famous and elegant spa resort of Vichy, highly prized by famous people like Napoleon III and Madame de Sévigné, has preserved its...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Vichy
The queen of spa towns
TIme
2 hr 55
Visit continued...
Time offTime
1 hr
Day 2
Route to next stopping placeTime
48 min
Chouvigny Gorges
Canoe-kayaking, an excellent way of discovering this listed natural site!
TIme
3 hr 15
Dominated by a 13th-century castle fort, the Chouvigny Gorges road in the Combrailles, at the heart of the Sioule gorges between Menat and Ébreuil, offers motorists, bikers and cyclists a series of beautiful landscapes, both...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Chouvigny Gorges
Canoe-kayaking, an excellent way of discovering this listed natural site!
TIme
15 min
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
46 min
Queuille meander
A particularly photogenic natural site!
TIme
30 min
The Sioule river forms a stunning loop in a beautiful green and unspoiled setting between Châteauneuf-les-Bains and Sauret-Besserve: the Queuille meander. This incredibly beautiful place can be admired from the panoramic...
Route to next stopping placeTime
29 min
Châtel-Guyon
Spa resort with old-world charm
TIme
1 hr
The spa resort of Châtel-Guyon in the Auvergne Volcanic Regional Nature Park has preserved all the charm of the past with its thermal baths, belle-époque buildings, casino/theatre and pretty Parc Thermal spa garden that's...
Day 3
Châtel-Guyon
Spa resort with old-world charm
TIme
3 hr
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
15 min
Volvic
Town of stone and water
TIme
1 hr
The town of Volvic is known in French as the "town of stone and water" because of its special feature of buildings and fountains built in black lava and its famous pure and lightly mineralised spring water. The Maison de...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Volvic
Town of stone and water
TIme
2 hr 30
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
31 min
Day 4
Puy de Dôme volcano
The highest volcano in the Puys mountains, with an extraordinary panoramic view!
TIme
1 hr 30
The 1,465-metre-high Puy de Dôme is the symbol of the département and the highest volcano in the Chaîne des Puys mountain range. Part of the Monts Dôme range in the heart of the Massif Central mountain region, around 15km...
Route to next stopping placeTime
17 min
Royat
Elegant spa resort near Clermont-Ferrand
TIme
1 hr 30
The elegant spa resort of Royat, located west of Clermont-Ferrand, specialises in the treatment of osteoarthritis and cardio-arterial diseases. It possesses a recreational well-being and spa centre, Royatonic, where the...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Royat
Elegant spa resort near Clermont-Ferrand
TIme
2 hr
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
8 min
Clermont-Ferrand
Capital of the Auvergne region
TIme
1 hr 35
Clermont-Ferrand enjoys an ideal location between the Limagne plain and the Chaîne des Puys mountain range. The capital of the Auvergne region and the birthplace of the famous French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal,...
Day 5
Clermont-Ferrand
Capital of the Auvergne region
TIme
3 hr 15
Visit continued...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Clermont-Ferrand
Capital of the Auvergne region
TIme
1 hr 10
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
22 min
Gergovie plateau
Site of the famous Battle of Gergovia between Vercingetorix and Julius Caesar
TIme
1 hr 30
Formerly called Merdogne plateau, the vast Gergovie plateau, located 15 kilometres south of Clermont-Ferrand, is famous for being the site of the famous Battle of Gergovia that took place between Vercingetorix and Julius...
Route to next stopping placeTime
22 min
Saint-Saturnin
Romanesque church, medieval château and Renaissance fountain
TIme
1 hr
The old village of Saint-Saturnin, where the Counts of Auvergne once lived, towers above the Monne gorges from the top of a lava flow and has inspired a whole host of painters and writers. Its places of interest include a...
Day 6
Saint-Saturnin
Romanesque church, medieval château and Renaissance fountain
TIme
1 hr 15
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
15 min
Aydat lake
A beautiful stretch of water known for its recreational activities
TIme
1 hr 45
Aydat lake, located in the Dôme mountains in the Auvergne Volcanic Regional Nature Park, is the largest natural lake in the Auvergne and a special site that's a popular destination with holidaymakers and fans of water-based...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Aydat lake
A beautiful stretch of water known for its recreational activities
TIme
1 hr 45
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
20 min
Saint-Nectaire
A renowned gastronomic stopping point, this village also boasts a magnificent Romanesque church
TIme
1 hr 40
Famous for its cheese of character of the same name, the peaceful village of Saint-Nectaire in the Monts Dore mountain area is dominated by its superb 12th-century Auvergne Romanesque church built by the monks of La Chaise-Dieu...
Day 7
Saint-Nectaire
A renowned gastronomic stopping point, this village also boasts a magnificent Romanesque church
TIme
2 hr 20
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
23 min
Pavin lake
A stunning crater lake
TIme
40 min
Nestling in a pine, beech and spruce forest not far from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise is a beautiful volcanic crater lake called Lac Pavin (surface area 44 hectares, depth 92 metres). Take the footpath surrounding the lake for...
Picnic (bring your own food)Time
1 hr 30
Pavin lake
A stunning crater lake
TIme
40 min
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
6 min
Super Besse
Ski resort in the Sancy mountain area
TIme
2 hr 55
The ski resort of Super Besse was built in 1961 and is located at an altitude of 1,350 metres on the south side of Puy de Sancy mountain not far from the village of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise. Its ski area comprises both downhill...
Day 8
Super Besse
Ski resort in the Sancy mountain area
TIme
2 hr 05
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
35 min
Puy de Sancy mountain
The highest peak in the Massif Central
TIme
40 min
Puy de Sancy mountain, part of the Dore mountain range in the Auvergne Volcanic Regional Nature Park, reaches an altitude of 1,886 metres, making it the highest peak in the Massif Central. Accessible during the summer season...
Picnic (bring your own food)Time
1 hr 30
Puy de Sancy mountain
The highest peak in the Massif Central
TIme
40 min
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
9 min
Le Mont-Dore
Both a spa resort and a winter sports resort!
TIme
2 hr 55
Le Mont-Dore is both a spa resort and a winter sports resort in a particularly attractive natural setting surrounded by beautiful mountains. This peaceful destination is perfect for both fans of relaxation, thanks to its...
Day 9
Le Mont-Dore
Both a spa resort and a winter sports resort!
TIme
3 hr 15
Visit continued...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Le Mont-Dore
Both a spa resort and a winter sports resort!
TIme
50 min
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
9 min
La Bourboule
Spa resort with special focus on its natural environment and on children!
TIme
2 hr 50
La Bourboule, located on either side of the Dordogne river at an altitude of 850 metres, is both a spa resort known for its curative water and an approved Green Resort (resort paying particular attention to its natural environment)...
Day 10
La Bourboule
Spa resort with special focus on its natural environment and on children!
TIme
3 hr 10
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
42 min
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Route continued...Time
42 min
Salers
A wonderfully unspoiled medieval town!
TIme
1 hr 30
The small medieval town of Salers, built in the 15th century, possesses a beautiful central square. It also boasts handsome houses with lava walls and slate roofs, as well as certain residences decorated with turrets. It...
Route to next stopping placeTime
7 min
Fontanges monolithic chapel
A chapel carved out of the rock
TIme
30 min
This chapel was dug into the rock in 1901 in Fontanges.
Route to next stopping placeTime
20 min
Day 11
Tournemire and Anjony castle
Tournemire, a charming village...
TIme
1 hr 30
The charming lava houses are settled along a narrow street in Tournemire. At the end of it, the Anjony castle and its four round towers dating the 15th century.
Route to next stopping placeTime
34 min
The mounts Cantal
Puy Mary, largest volcano in Europe
TIme
1 hr 10
Covering 2,500 km2, the mounts Cantal are what remains of the biggest volcano in Europe. The highest peak in the area is the Plomb du Cantal, at 1,855 metres. It is the location of the Auvergne's largest ski resort, Super-Lorian,...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
The mounts Cantal
Puy Mary, largest volcano in Europe
TIme
3 hr 45
Visit continued...
Day 12
The mounts Cantal
Puy Mary, largest volcano in Europe
TIme
1 hr 05
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
20 min
Murat
Medieval town situated in the heart of the mounts Cantal in the Auvergne Volcanic Regional Nature Park
TIme
1 hr 30
Situated at an altitude of 920 metres, the city of Murat benefits from an exceptional geographical situation. It is indeed in the heart of the mounts Cantal, in the Auvergne Volcanic Regional Nature Park. The setting is beautiful...
Route to next stopping placeTime
37 min
LunchTime
1 hr 30
The Truyère Gorges
A natural place with magnificent landscapes...
TIme
1 hr 30
A place not to be missed for its magnificent landscapes of green countryside, water and wild gorges.
Route to next stopping placeTime
4 min
Chaudes-Aigues
This spa town possesses the hottest spring in Europe!
TIme
1 hr 55
What makes this spa town unique is its total of 30 hot springs, including the hottest in Europe (the Par) which flows at 82 degrees Celsius! The hot water is used in numerous ways, including to treat rheumatism and heat the...
Day 13
Chaudes-Aigues
This spa town possesses the hottest spring in Europe!
TIme
2 hr 05
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
26 min
Saint-Flour
City of Art and History
TIme
1 hr
This medieval town has pretty Renaissance houses around its Armes square and around its Saint-Pierre cathedral, as well as mansions dating from the 16th century. Shops selling specialities line the picturesque narrow streets...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Saint-Flour
City of Art and History
TIme
1 hr
Visit continued...
Route to next stopping placeTime
34 min
Blesle
Beautiful villages
TIme
1 hr 30
The Haute-Loire has some very pretty villages, such as Blesle, Auzon, Lavaudieu and Lavoûte-Chilhac – perfect places for a relaxing wander.
Route to next stopping placeTime
31 min
Day 14
Auzon
Beautiful villages
TIme
1 hr
The Haute-Loire has some very pretty villages, such as Blesle, Auzon, Lavaudieu and Lavoûte-Chilhac – perfect places for a relaxing wander.
Route to next stopping placeTime
27 min
Lavaudieu
Beautiful villages
TIme
1 hr 45
The Haute-Loire has some very pretty villages, such as Blesle, Auzon, Lavaudieu and Lavoûte-Chilhac – perfect places for a relaxing wander.
Route to next stopping placeTime
14 min
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Route continued...Time
14 min
Lavoûte-Chilhac
Beautiful villages
TIme
1 hr
The Haute-Loire has some very pretty villages, such as Blesle, Auzon, Lavaudieu and Lavoûte-Chilhac – perfect places for a relaxing wander.
Route to next stopping placeTime
22 min
The Allier gorges
The charming village of Saint-Arcons-d'Allier overlooks the Allier gorges
TIme
2 hr
From Langeac to Chapeauroux, the gorges are only really visible by train. However, there are several pretty, typical villages in the gorges, such as Saint-Arcons-d'Allier.
Day 15
Route to next stopping placeTime
45 min
The Bouchet lake
A magnificent natural site!
TIme
45 min
This circular lake is unusual in that it occupies a volcano crater. Lake Bouchet is completely surrounded by spruce, larch and beech forests – a really magnificent location. You almost feel like you're in Canada!
Route to next stopping placeTime
29 min
Le Puy-en-Velay
Its Romanesque cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
TIme
1 hr 15
Main city of the Haute-Loire, Le Puy-en-Velay has many attractions. The visit of the Notre-Dame-de-France cathedral built in the 11th century should not be missed, as well as its cloister. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the...
LunchTime
1 hr 30
Le Puy-en-Velay
Its Romanesque cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
TIme
2 hr 45
Visit continued...
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