LE PUY DE DÔME :
About ten kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand, this volcano
- 1,465 metres - is the culminating point of the chain of
the Puys. The 'Giant of the Domes', emblem of the pelean
volcanoes, is renowned for being a steep stage of the Tour
de France bicycle race. The fantastic panorama from the
summit is one of the most striking French tableaux, and
is the second most visited natural site in France. A sacred
place in Antiquity, the Romans built a temple to Mercury
where the ruins can still be seen. In 1648 Blaise Pascal's
experiment on the gravity of air was staged here. In 1911
Eugène Renaux landed his plane on the summit, thus
winning the Michelin Grand Prix.
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For all information regarding
access to the site, notably weather conditions and exceptional
closing times, please contact the access post or ring +33
(0)4 73 62 12 18.
At the Puy de Dôme
site, the reception centre shows exhibitions
is open from April to November.
Tel: +33.(0)4
73 62 21 46 (Boutique, bar, pub and panoramic restaurant).
On certain weekends the
road is closed from 30th November to 1st March. During the
months of July and August from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. access is
only by shuttle service as well as at weekends and on Bank
Holidays in the months of May, June and September from 12.30
p.m. to 6 p.m.
From 1st March to 31st December, on Wednesdays
and Sundays the road is strictly reserved for cyclists from
7 a.m. (or 8 a.m) to 9 a.m.
The access road
to the summit of the Puy de Dôme is strictly prohibited
to pedestrians and bicycles outside the prescribed times.
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Regional
nature reserve of the Volcanoes of the Auvergne
: the largest French nature reserve. In this exceptional
conservation area, 80 dormant volcanoes and numerous lakes
in natural surroundings. To the south, the volcanic line
of the Mont-Dore massif known for its thermal and ski resorts.
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| Livradois-Forez
regional reserve : the
Auvergne - side of the rising sun. On the 'trade route' the
Auvergne has kept alive its craftsmanship. In this way Ambert,
renowned for its fourme (cheese), has retained a 600 year
old tradition in the making of paper. Do not miss a visit
to the Moulin Richard de Bas, the oldest evidence of the paper
industry in France.
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| At Thiers,
built on the hillside, cutlery has been made here for 5 centuries.
Visit the Maison
des Couteliers (Cutlers) where there is a museum of cutlery
and sharpening workshop. |
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| La
Chaise-Dieu is famous for its international classical music
festival which takes place in a remarkable Gothic abbey.
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| PUY
DE LEMPTEGY
The heart of a volcano,
walking tour, exhibition and film.
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VULCANIA : European
Volcano Park :
15 km from Clermont, VULCANIA offers
something for everyone: the pleasure of discovery, educational
areas, an international documentation centre to discover
the mysteries of the Earth.
Tickets are sold to the Tourist Centre.
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crédit photo : J. Damase |
GERGOVIE PLATEAU :
The supposed site of the
famous battle between Vercingetorix, leader of the Arvernes,
and Caesar. A monument commemorates the victory of Vercingetorix
over Caesar. Visit the Maison de Gergovie, an information
centre on archeology, geology and history of the Plateau.
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COTES DE
CLERMONT :
This Gallic oppidum dominating
the town provides an exceptional viewpoint over the built-up
area as a whole.
THE VISIT OF PUY DE DÔME
AND AUVERGNE :
The Puy-de-Dôme
Departmental Tourist Board and The Auvergne
Regional Tourist Board have a wide
variety of information about the Puy-de-Dôme and Auvergne
and their wonderfull landscapes.
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