Auvergne
Interesting for armchair travellers, as well as committed walkers about to undertake the multiweek journey to Santiago de Compostela, this museum in the…
Must-see attractions in Auvergne
Auvergne
If you do one thing in Riom, it's likely to be climbing the 128 stairs of this Renaissance belfry to reach panoramic views of volcanic-stone houses and…
Auvergne
For unlimited sips of Vichy's reputedly healing mineral waters, head for the Source des Célestins, housed in an attractive 19th-century atrium with lacy…
Auvergne
This ornate Romanesque church dates back to the 13th century, though its Gothic flourishes (such as the bell tower) were added in the 19th century. The…
Auvergne
These 13 hectares of peaceful parkland, landscaped in honour of Napoléon III, have become a favourite riverfront idling ground for pedestrians and…
Auvergne
About 4km northeast of Thiers is the Vallée des Rouets, an open-air museum dedicated to the knife-makers who once toiled here in front of water-driven…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
One monumental gateway remains of Besse's medieval fortifications, crowned by the octagonal 16th-century Beffroy, the town's most distinctive feature…
La Distillerie de la Verveine du Velay
Auvergne
See how Le Puy's green fairy gets her magic on a 45-minute guided tour of the verveine liqueur distillery in St-Germain Laprade. From Le Puy, drive east…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Uncover Salers' history in one of the most enigmatic buildings in town. This former Knights Templar house exposes local history and traditions among its…
Centre d'Enseignement de la Dentelle au Fuseau
Auvergne
Le Puy is famed for the intricacy and beauty of its lace, and this workshop-museum – led by formidable lace expert Mick Fouriscot – showcases remarkable…
Clermont-Ferrand
Assembling a motley collection of ancient artefacts and modern design inside a stately 1903 building, the Bargoin is a good primer on Clermont old and new…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Learn about Volvic's world-famous mineral water at the company's Espace d'Information, a 10-minute walk west of Volvic's tourist office. Free hour-long…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
An essential stop for diehard snow-heads, this pocket-sized museum exhibits a collection of vintage ski gear, ice skates, snow shoes and wintry miscellany…
Église Notre Dame du Marthuret
Auvergne
Peer into this shadowy late-14th-century church to see Riom's most prized relics. The Vierge noire (Black Madonna) dates to the 13th or 14th century…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Pick a round of St-Nectaire cheese, along with terrines, jams and other regional nibbles, from this dairy shop across the road from the Grottes du…
Musée d'Histoire Naturelle Henri-Lecoq
Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont’s natural history museum is a pleasant enough rainy-day diversion. The first floor pays homage to the city’s most famous son, 17th-century…
Clermont-Ferrand
In a simple, schoolroom format, this small museum details the chronology of events following 21 June 1940, when Nazi troops marched into Clermont-Ferrand…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Fans of French formal gardens will enjoy the 15th-century Château de Cordès, 2.5km north of Orcival off D27. Visitors can explore the manicured lawns and…
Auvergne
Paper has been made here since 1326, and this old-school operation still produces around 200 sheets per day using traditional techniques. Hour-long guided…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Gasp at the daredevil quarrying feats of Volvic's past in this kid-friendly museum. There are subterranean passages to explore (bring a jacket) and flash…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Budding zoologists should make a beeline for this 16th-century town house opposite place de l'Hôtel de Ville, which houses over 10,000 insects, including…
Auvergne
Ready to quake in fear at Saugues' most chilling legend? Or hoping to entertain your bloodthirsty kids and pick up a lupine-themed souvenir? This museum…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
La Bourboule's pale lava-stone church, completed in 1888, cuts an elegant silhouette against its mountainous backdrop.
Auvergne
This 4000-object collection is a thorough primer on local traditions, with a focus on rural customs in the 19th century (expect plenty of antique farming…
Clermont-Ferrand
Sprouting from the 5th-century site of one of Clermont-Ferrand's oldest churches is this magnificent 12th-century church, crowned with a prickly Gothic…
Clermont-Ferrand
This 19th-century obelisk was fashioned from dark volcanic stone from Volvic and festooned with carvings. The monument was raised in honour of Louis…
Clermont-Ferrand
Since 1903, ancient Gaul's 'warrior king' has assumed a fearsome stance atop a horse in the middle of place de Jaude. The statue was created by Frédéric…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Dating to the end of the 14th century, the church in Murat's medieval heart bears a few Gothic flourishes from additions made during the 19th century. It…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
A fine example of a Romanesque church, 12th-century St-Priest has dark volcanic stone details and boasts three richly decorated chapels. Look up to see…
Clermont-Ferrand
Two blocks north of the cathedral, this early-16th-century fountain has three tiers carved in a delicate Gothic style. It's the focal point of a pretty…
Auvergne
Just south of the Parc Napoléon III is this stretch of parkland hugging the Allier River, landscaped in the style of an English garden during the late…
Auvergne
It's worth a peep inside this collegiate church, whose foundations date back to the 6th century, to admire its medieval murals and fine 19th-century organ.
Musée des Arts d’Afrique et d’Asie
Auvergne
Inside a grand 1881 building is assembled a small collection of sculptures, furniture and paintings collected from various Asian and African countries.
Auvergne
This seasonal museum houses rotating exhibits that document the performances, costumes and culture of Vichy’s turn-of-the-20th-century opera house.
Clermont-Ferrand
Follow signs from rue Robertus to a staircase leading to head-on views of the extraordinarily detailed stonework on the Notre Dame du Port church.
Jardins du Château d'Hauterive
Auvergne
Amble in 7 hectares of manicured gardens next to this romantic 17th-century chateau, 2km southwest of central Issoire.
Auvergne
The brass taps of the Source de l'Hôpital, which was first used in Gallo-Roman times, dispense unlimited quantities of warmish mineral waters to curistes …
