Auvergne
Volcanic peaks, cheese-making villages and walks on quiet mountain roads draw travelers to central France.
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Auvergne is a mountainous region in central France, built on a chain of extinct volcanoes. Clermont-Ferrand, its largest city, sits at the foot of the Chaîne des Puys, a line of volcanic domes that runs north from the city. The highest of them, Puy de Dôme, rises to about 1,465 meters. A road climbs most of the way to the summit, and marked trails lead up on foot.
The region is also known for cheese. Cantal, Saint-Nectaire, Fourme d'Ambert and Bleu d'Auvergne are all made here, and villages with stone houses and dairy farms make easy stops for lunch or a tasting. A trip here is built around hiking and drives on back roads. Late spring to early autumn suits walking best. Three to five days cover the main volcanoes and a few villages, and a week leaves room to slow down. A car is the simplest way to move between villages.
Auvergne in five
- Ride the Puy de Dôme panoramic trainA rack train climbs the summit, which has a view over the volcano chain. Check the official operator for the season, times and whether you need to book a seat in summer.
- Rent a car in Clermont-FerrandVillages, lakes and trailheads have little public transport. Pick up a car at the station or airport and plan loops of 100 km or less each day.Clermont-Ferrand
- Taste the cheeses at the sourceSaint-Nectaire, Cantal, Salers and Bleu d'Auvergne are protected cheeses with farm shops and tours. Call ahead outside summer, because small farms close in winter.
- Hike the Parc des Volcans in summerTrails cross craters and lava flows, and the weather changes fast above 1,000 m. Carry layers, water and a paper map, and avoid the high ridges in storms.Volcans d'Auvergne park
- Fit Auvergne between Lyon and the DordogneLyon is about 2.5 hours away by train and the Dordogne is a long drive southwest. Use Clermont-Ferrand as a pivot for a loop through the center.Lyon
Neighborhoods
Clermont-Ferrand
- Price band: $$
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
The Volcans d'Auvergne park is a set of extinct volcanoes in central France, known for grassy domes, crater walks and high ridges.
Things to do in Auvergne
See all attractions in Auvergne
Need to know
- Airport
- Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne (CFE), a few direct flights
- Getting there
- Train from Paris Bercy in about 3.5 hr; Lyon about 2.5 hr by TER
- Getting around
- Rental car; buses and trains only link the main towns
- Best base
- Clermont-Ferrand, or a village on the volcano road
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low0°Cold, snowJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, snowFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Grey, thawMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Grey, thaw
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low5°Spring flowersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring flowers
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Green, hikingMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, hiking
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Hot valleysJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot valleys
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Hot, hikingAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, hiking
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Clear, hikingSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, hiking
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cold, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Cold, snowDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Auvergne, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Auvergne
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Clermont-Ferrand
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue7°2°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed8°0°31%Wednesday: Rain. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Thu9°6°35%Thursday: Rain. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Fri11°6°26%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sat13°1°9%Saturday: Fog. High 13°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun14°0°29%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 07:19 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Puy de Dômeabout 20 min by car from Clermont-FerrandA famous summit and a panoramic train over the volcanic chain.
- Clermont-Ferrandabout 15 min from the volcano parkA black-stone city with a cathedral and an old quarter.Read the guide
- Volcans d'Auvergne parkabout 30–90 min by carLake villages, crater rims and cheese farms across a huge park.Read the guide
Before you go to Auvergne
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Rules for Auvergne, checked
- France is part of the Schengen area. Check on diplomatie.gouv.fr whether your passport needs a visa before you book.Source
- Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area.
- Dial 112 from any phone for police, fire or an ambulance. The number works across the EU.
- Service is included in restaurant bills by law. Leaving a small extra tip is customary, not required.
Plan around Auvergne
Paris, regions and the basics
Read the guideVolcans d'Auvergne regional parkThe summits, lakes and walking trails
Read the guideClermont-FerrandThe volcanic stone city and rail base
Read the guideLimogesPorcelain city, 2 hours west by road
Read the guideGetting around FranceRental, rail and bus options
Read the guideAuvergne FAQ
What is Auvergne known for?
Dormant volcanoes, protected cheeses, mountain walks and thermal spas. The Chaîne des Puys is a UNESCO-listed volcanic chain, and the region is far quieter than the Alps.
How many days do you need in Auvergne?
Three days cover Clermont-Ferrand, Puy de Dôme and one cheese village. Five days gives a loop through the park, lakes and a spa town without long driving days.
Do you need a car in Auvergne?
Yes outside Clermont-Ferrand and a few rail towns. Buses are slow and trailheads and villages are far apart.
When is the best time to visit Auvergne?
June to September for hiking and open farm shops, September and October for autumn color. Winter brings snow, and some roads and visitor sites close.
Is Auvergne worth visiting?
Yes if you like landscapes and local food over big sights. It suits a quiet road trip, and it is a good stop between Lyon and the Dordogne.