TRAVEL & STAY
Where to stay
Not so far from Cournon, it is next to our favourite restaurants (Honoré and Chez le brasseur & Kerry’s). It’s placed between Cournon and Clermont in a commercial part (there is cinema just in front with huge parking). We often take this kind of hotel when we go with floorball team to another cities.
The Hotel Campanile Clermont-Ferrand Center, located 3 km from the downtown area and 2,5 km from the train station welcomes you for a family vacation or business trip. You will enjoy the amenities on offer, for your comfort: restaurant, buffet-style breakfast, bar, cozy corner, wifi, library, 2 modular meeting rooms.
Don’t hesitate to find also air bnb, sometimes there are nice places! You can stay in Clermont or around like Aubière, Lempdes, Le Cendre, Cournon d’Auvergne, Perignat etc. (closer to us and the wedding) or if you want to be closer to the mountains then it can be Chamalières, Orcines, Royat, Volvic etc.
What to do | where to eat | ideas
Puy de Dôme
The most famous volcano in Auvergne, Puy de Dôme (1,465m), stands proudly next to Clermont-Ferrand. For a few years now, it has been a proud member of UNESCO’s list, as part of the legendary Chaîne des Puys—a chain of 88 volcanoes and insanely deep volcanic lakes.
Two years ago, the Tour de France ended right at the top! Crazy guys—most of us can barely walk up there, and they did it on bikes! Anyway…
You can hike up (if you’re feeling brave) or take the little train. And if you’re really courageous, you can even paraglide from the summit! Once at the top, you can stroll around, grab a bite in the restaurant, or have a picnic while admiring the perfect panoramic view of the other 88 volcanoes.
Tickets: Buy them online or on-site. It’s a great trip for the whole family. There’s a big parking lot, and in summer, a bus from the city center takes you directly to Puy de Dôme.
Our favourite restaurants
- Chez le Brasseur ( beer factory with very good food, kind of Alsace kind- very good flamenkuchen!!!) There is place for kids upstairs
- Honoré – Cheese specialities (amazing ones btw, need to do reservation on google before going, it is often full)
- Yuzu, japanese restaurant in Cournon d’Auvergne
- Kerry’s Pub – Irish pub, beer & Burgers
- Pizza de l’arte – Italian restaurant, paaasta piiiiizza, u name it
WHAT TO EAT?
We are in region full of potatoes, dry ham and cheese, so this is basically what we can eat here 🙂 Name’s of food u can try ( sorry it is more winter kind of food) Truffade, Tartiflette, Raclette.
Of course there are also nice burgers from local cows called Salers.
You don’t tip in French restaurants.
Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand may be under construction, but it’s still a charming city to explore! The highlight is the famous black cathedral, built from volcanic stone – definitely a must-see.
For an easy way to explore, hop on bus B or C and take a stroll through the city. The main square, Place de Jaude (more info in Another Curiosities), is the heart of Clermont, though right now, they’re working hard to transform it into a more bike-friendly space by limiting car access.
Beyond that, check out Montjuzet Park for panoramic views, visit the Michelin Adventure museum (yes, the tire brand started here!), or stop by a local café to enjoy some classic Auvergne cuisine.
Plenty to see – just watch out for the roadworks! 😄
Puy Pariou
Another famous volcano in Auvergne is Puy Pariou—probably the most iconic after Puy de Dôme. No train this time! You’ll need to hike about 6 km round trip, but the effort is worth it.
Its perfectly shaped crater is one of the best-preserved in the region. The entire landscape is covered with red and orange volcanic stones called les scories (yes, just like Petra’s floorball club! 😆). Pick one up, and you’ll notice how incredibly light it is, full of tiny air bubbles.
The hike is accessible and offers stunning views of the Chaîne des Puys—definitely a must-do for nature lovers!
Cheese from Auvergne
What kind of holiday would it be without cheese, right? 🧀 In Auvergne, you’ll find five world-famous cheeses: Cantal, Bleu d’Auvergne (blue cheese), Saint-Nectaire, Salers, and Fourme d’Ambert. A shop that sells only cheese is called a fromagerie because “fromage” means cheese in French!
TIP:
If you want to bring some cheese back home to Czechia (or wherever you’re from! 😆), you can buy it at E. Leclerc and ask for sous vide which means vacuum-sealed packaging. This works best for hard cheeses like Saint-Nectaire or Cantal, but unfortunately, not for soft cheeses.
There’s even a “cheese route”, where you can visit cheese-making spots. The most famous stop is probably Saint-Nectaire, not far from Puy de Sancy.
TIP 2:
If you’re a blue cheese fan, I highly recommend Bleu de Laqueuille – Petra’s favorite! 🙂
Parc atraction for (not only) kids
If you have small kids, they’ll love visiting a little farm in Montpeyroux. Here, they can ride a pony or donkey (reservation needed in advance) and feed the animals with a small bucket of dry bread. Most of the animals are domestic, making it a great hands-on experience for little ones.
Another fun farm, located near Saint-Nectaire, lets you get up close with a variety of animals. You’ll receive a bucket of veggies to feed them—yes, even the nutria (kind of like giant, friendly water rodents) and wallabies! These little guys are super cute, used to people, and love a gentle pat. Alongside them, you’ll find domestic animals, goats (lots of goats! 😆), wolves, reindeer, alpacas and kangaroos.
For a bigger adventure, check out Le Pal, a mix between a zoo and amusement park. It offers animal encounters, rides, and even water attractions in summer. This one’s better suited for older kids, but still a great family outing! It’s 1.5 hours far from Clermont tho
Le Mont-Dore (or Super Besse) and Puy de Sancy
If I ever moved somewhere, it would definitely be here! Mont-Dore is a charming thermal village nestled beneath the majestic Puy de Sancy—the highest peak in Auvergne (1,886m) and a popular ski resort.
On the way from Clermont-Ferrand, make sure to stop by Lac de Guéry, the highest lake in Auvergne, known for its stunning reflections. Nearby, you’ll find the Roches Tuilière and Sanadoire, two dramatic volcanic rock formations that are definitely worth a quick stop for a photo or a short walk.
Once in Mont-Dore, you can take the cable car up to Sancy and climb the final stairs to the very top for breathtaking views. Or, if you prefer a different route, head to Super-Besse on the other side, take the cable car there, and walk along the mountain ridge. Super-Besse also offers plenty of fun summer activities for both kids and adults.
One of the most famous hikes in the area is La Vallée de Chaudefour, right next to Sancy. A stunning natural reserve, it’s well worth a visit! And the best part? It’s only about an hour’s drive from Clermont-Ferrand.
Lakes
Auvergne isn’t just about volcanoes—it has some stunning lakes too! Here are three of the most famous ones:
Lac Pavin
The deepest and most mysterious lake in Auvergne (92m deep!). It’s a perfectly round volcanic lake with an intense blue color. Legends say it’s bottomless, and some even believe a buried village lies beneath its waters! You can walk around it in about an hour and soak in the magical atmosphere.
Lac de Guéry
At 1,268m altitude, this is the highest lake in Auvergne. In winter, it’s the only lake in France that freezes enough for ice fishing! Surrounded by stunning scenery, it’s also near the Roches Tuilière and Sanadoire, two incredible volcanic rock formations—worth a stop for some breathtaking views!
Lac d’Aydat
The biggest natural lake in Auvergne, formed by lava blocking a river (volcanoes really did all the work here 😆). Perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or just chilling on the little beach. A top summer spot for families, with picnic areas, walking trails, and even a campsite nearby.
Lake Chambon & Fortress Murol
Because one just can’t get enough nature here, this is more for chilling around. At the lake you can make a tour around with a nice view on the mountains, there are 2 playgrounds on each side, doable with push chair, restaurant for drink and ice cream, u can do picnic there on the beach. There is only one side where it is allowed to go to the water. Next to the lake there is a big fortress called Murol with interesting history.
Interesting Curiosities
We all know Asterix & Obelix and you know what? They are from here! Caesar was fighting Gaulls not so far from Clermont-Ferrand, in Gergovie.
The Battle of Gergovia took place in 52 BC between the Roman legions led by Julius Caesar and the Gallic coalition led by the Arverni leader Vercingetorix. The Gauls were victorious in the battle.
The site of the battle is now located near the town of La Roche-Blanche, near Clermont-Ferrand. The battle is very famous in France and was mentioned in the French comic book Asterix, specifically in the book Asterix and the Gallic School Year.
So if you will go to Place de Jaude (main square in Clermont-Ferrand) in the middle there is a statue of Vercingetorix on the horse.