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.
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The Volcans d'Auvergne park lies in the Massif Central, in the Auvergne region of central France. Its volcanoes are no longer active, so the land now has grassy domes, crater rims and forested slopes, with small stone villages in the valleys. The best-known summit is the Puy de Dôme, a rounded volcano a short drive from Clermont-Ferrand, which you can climb on foot or reach by rack railway. The Puy de Sancy, the highest peak in the Massif Central, rises further south in the Monts Dore.
The park suits walking, slow driving and stops for local food. Hiking is best from late spring to early autumn, when the trails are usually clear of snow. In winter the Sancy area has ski runs. Saint-Nectaire, a cheese from the Auvergne, is one local product to look for in village shops. Allow several days, because the main areas are spread out and you will drive between them.
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne in five
- Choose the train or the path up the Puy de DômeA rack train climbs to the summit from the base, and a footpath takes about an hour on foot. Check the operator's site for running days and tickets, and note that wind can halt the train.Tours and tickets
- Rent a car at Clermont-FerrandVillages, lakes and the Puy Mary or Sancy ridges sit far apart, and public transport is limited. A small car from Clermont-Ferrand is the practical way to cover the park.France by train and car
- Pack for a cooler summitThe high ridges are cooler and windier than Clermont-Ferrand, and cloud can close in quickly. Carry a jacket, water and a map even for a short walk.
- Base in Clermont-Ferrand or a mountain villageThe city has the train, the airport and restaurants, while Le Mont-Dore and Besse suit walkers who want to start at the trailhead.Clermont-Ferrand travel guide
- Taste the local cheeses on the wayThe Cantal and Salers areas make the region's cheeses, sold at farms and village shops. Ask about opening hours, as small producers often close at midday.
Things to do in Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
See all attractions in Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Need to know
- Getting there
- Clermont-Ferrand by train, or its airport; Lyon about 2 hrs by train
- Getting around
- Car for the park; few buses outside summer
- Best base
- Clermont-Ferrand, or Le Mont-Dore for the Sancy ridge
- Nearest station
- Clermont-Ferrand, the regional rail hub
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Cold, snowJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low0°Cold, snowFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low1°Cool, thawMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, thaw
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low3°Spring, greenAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, green
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Walks, wildflowersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Walks, wildflowers
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Long days, walksJuneRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days, walks
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Clear, walksSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, walks
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Autumn colorsOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn colors
- NovemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low3°Cold, dampNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- DecemberRain14 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh6°Low1°Cold, snowDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Clermont-Ferrand, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
2
- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today6°0°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue3°0°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed8°1°46%Wednesday: Rain. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Thu7°4°80%Thursday: Rain. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Fri9°3°71%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sat10°2°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun12°4°37%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 09:16 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Clermont-Ferrandabout 25–40 min by carA dark-stone cathedral city, handy for trains and the airport.Read the guide
- Vulcaniaabout 30–40 min by carA volcano-themed park near the Chaîne des Puys. Check ticket rules on its site.
- Salersabout 2 hours by carA walled village in the Cantal mountains, known for its cheese.
Before you go to Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
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Rules for Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, checked
- France is in the Schengen area. Check passport validity and whether you need a visa on the France-Visas website before you fly.Source
- Call 112 for police, fire or an ambulance. It works across the EU and from most mobile phones.
- Check the park's own rules on dogs, camping and drones on its website before you go. They apply inside the park boundary.Source
- Fire bans in forests are set by the prefecture in summer. Check the Puy-de-Dôme prefecture notices before you light a stove or fire.
Plan around Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Regions, cities and entry rules
Read the guideClermont-Ferrand travel guideThe city at the foot of the volcanoes
Read the guideAuvergne travel guideLakes, spas and cheese country
Read the guideLyon travel guideFood capital, about 2 hrs east by train
Read the guideSchengen 90/180 ruleHow long you can stay in France
Read the guideParc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne FAQ
Are the Auvergne volcanoes active?
No. The ones in the Chaîne des Puys are extinct, and the last eruptions were thousands of years ago. They are walking country, with grassy craters you can climb.
How do you get to the Puy de Dôme?
By the rack train from the base station, or on foot in about an hour on a path from the pass at the foot. Drive to the base, and check the operator's site for the day's schedule.
Do you need a car for the Volcans d'Auvergne park?
Yes, for most of it. Buses and trains reach Clermont-Ferrand and a few villages, but the high ridges and lakes are far from stations.
How many days do you need in the Auvergne volcanoes?
Two days for the Puy de Dôme and one other ridge. Three if you also want the Cantal and the Sancy massif. A day trip from Clermont-Ferrand works for the Puy de Dôme alone.
When is the best time to visit the Auvergne volcanoes?
May to June and September to October for mild weather and green or golden slopes. July and August are warm but busy, and winter brings snow and some closed roads.