Must-see hotels in Auvergne

  • Hôtel Le Lion

    Clermont-Ferrand

    Punching well above its midrange price tag, Le Lion has a royal-blue colour scheme and offers royal treatment to match. Staff bend over backwards to make…

  • Le Clos Saint François

    Auvergne

    Combining historic walls, French soul food and a lost-in-time village, it's hard to imagine a more atmospheric place to stay than Le Clos Saint François…

  • L'Epicurium

    Auvergne

    This gastronomy-obsessed guesthouse has six spacious lodgings renovated with minimalist flair: ceilings are high, tones are neutral, and there are period…

  • Alta Terra

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Antique skis and creaking wooden eaves give a chalet feel to this exemplary family-run B&B in Lavigerie, a 15km drive northwest of Murat. Slide into the…

  • Grand Hôtel

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    The romantic ambience of this turreted 1850 hotel is amply delivered within its rooms, which have a sharp modern design and comfortable wrought-iron beds…

  • 5 Chambres en Ville

    Clermont-Ferrand

    This classy B&B offers five pristine rooms, all uniquely styled and awash with pastel colours. Each unit has an ample bed dressed with high-quality linens…

  • Ermitage St-Vincent

    Auvergne

    Atmosphere echoes from the walls of this converted presbytery, next to Église St-Anne in tiny Vieille-Brioude. The rooms, accessed by comedy-sized old…

  • La Demeure d'Hortense

    Auvergne

    The welcome from Catherine and Philippe couldn't be warmer when you check into this stately 19th-century mansion with plenty of original features. Wind…

  • Instants d’Absolu Ecolodge & Spa

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    This 300-year-old lakeside farm, in the peaceful wilds 16km north of Murat, was remodelled with sustainability in mind – carpets from recycled fibres,…

  • Auberge de la Petite Ferme

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Fling open your window shutters to views of rolling pastures from one of 32 snug rooms (most with a balcony) at this converted farmhouse, 800m from Besse…

  • Le Diapason

    Auvergne

    Five kilometres south of Issoire, this luxurious seasonal retreat has an intriguing silhouette: the ultra-modern building has an industrial iron exterior…

  • Aletti Palace Hôtel

    Auvergne

    Time travel to a more glamorous era at this luxurious hotel by the Parc des Sources. Get comfy in the downstairs bar, where stained-glass windows cast a…

  • Le Chastel Montaigu

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Feel like a true seigneur (lord) wandering around the terraces and spiral staircases of this fairy-tale castle on its own private 600m-high hilltop,11km…

  • Hôtel Saluces

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Formerly a 17th-century manor house, Hôtel Saluces has been restored with a simple yet refined touch. Each of its eight spacious rooms has unique features…

  • Auberge du Ripailleur

    Auvergne

    At this cheerful inn in tiny Dore-l'Église, restful, wooden-floored rooms overlook a 12th-century church. It's worth getting breakfast (€7) or opting for…

  • Villa du Pont Romain

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Bubbly Audrey, a goldmine of hiking information, treats guests like family at this log-lined three-room B&B. Rooms are wooden floored and wonderfully cosy…

  • Le Pavillon

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    It's difficult to picture a more darling place to bed down than Le Pavillon, where downlit rooms are laden with white faux-fur, heart-shaped cushions and…

  • Hôtel Le Parc des Fées

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Pixies and sprites are a prominent theme at this hotel, named for 'Fairy Rock' across the road. Within a 19th-century town house, Le Parc des Fées's 42…

  • Auberge des Mancelles

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Flanked by cow-filled pastures en route to Le Mont-Dore's ski lifts, this old-school, family-run hotel offers low-priced rooms upstairs (the cheapest with…

  • Villa Chantebise

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Just 300m west of central Besse are two mellow guestrooms, run by the delightful Aurélie in an annexe adjoining her family home. Rooms accommodate couples…

  • Hôtel Notre Dame

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Expect an effusive welcome at this family-run two-star in the heart of Orcival. Five of its seven clean, comfortable rooms have views directly over the…

  • Auberge du Lac de Guéry

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    In a scenic position on the lake's southern edge, this comfortable inn has unadorned but cosy rooms with unbeatable access to hiking, fishing and cross…

  • Hôtel Clair-Matin

    Auvergne

    Fill your lungs with fresh mountain air at this spa-hotel 3km east of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. Calm prevails in its 25 rooms with soundproofing, wood…

  • Camping Domaine de la Grande Cascade

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    This is a stunning spot to pitch a tent, just 15 minutes' walk from a 30m waterfall, with marvellous views of the mountains. At 1250m elevation, this…

  • Auberge de Jeunesse HI Le Mont-Dore

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Usually jammed with skiers and hikers, this excellent hostel is right below the Puy de Sancy cable car, 3.5km south of town. Facilities include squeaky…

  • Hôtel Le Régina

    Auvergne

    Travel photography and zany murals, from Cola bottles and New York City's Chrysler building to Donald Duck, liven up this modern hotel. Situated five…

  • Camping les Bombes

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Just 10 minutes' walk east of Lac Chambon's indigo waters is this efficiently run campground, with a choice of verdant tent sites and wooden chalets. Mini…

  • Hotel Chris'tel

    Auvergne

    More practical than pretty, likeable Hotel Chris'tel ticks all the boxes: spacious, wooden-floored rooms are kept sparkling clean, the bed sheets are good…

  • Citotel Arverna

    Auvergne

    This central hotel boasts a charming lounge room and a mini-library to relax in, when you aren't snoozing in one of its 23 contemporary, pastel-drenched…

  • Le Moulin Ferme-Auberge

    Auvergne

    This converted 15th-century mill, 6km south of Langeac by the meandering Fioule River, offers tasteful chalet-style rooms that gaze towards basalt cliffs…

  • Hôtel de l'Aviation

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Retro themed but with modern amenities, this smart hotel in a 1935 building distinguishes itself with nostalgic aviation-themed stained glass and…

  • Auberge d'Aijean

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Sublime Monts du Cantal views and stone-and-wood rooms are reason enough to stay at this welcoming mountain inn, 16km west of Murat (towards Puy Mary)…

  • Le Castelet

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Halfway between the train station and the tourist office (500m from each), this three-star with trim, classically decorated rooms feels like a steal…

  • Camping des Gorges de l'Allier

    Auvergne

    Sunning itself next to the broad Allier River, this large, family-friendly campground is perfectly positioned for woodland rambles and the restaurant…

  • Aux 500 Diables

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Designed for minimum impact on its fragile environment, the rooms adjoining Aux 500 Diables Restaurant are fresh and contemporary. Some feel economic in…

  • Apparthôtel Privilodges Carré de Jaude

    Clermont-Ferrand

    Thin on charm but too comfy and modern to resist, these self-contained apartments fill a tower block just west of place de Jaude. Brightly decorated in…

  • Camping Bouthezard

    Auvergne

    Le Puy's campground enjoys an attractive berth beside the Borne river, overlooked by the towering Chapelle St-Michel d'Aiguilhe across the road…

  • Hôtel Pacifique

    Auvergne

    This welcoming three-star has bold, colourful rooms and cosy common areas decorated with velvet armchairs and relics of Auvergne's past.

  • La Maison de Justine

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    With ivy tumbling down its stone walls and an interior filled with books, games and vintage fittings, this might be Murat's most endearing guesthouse…

  • Auberge Chez Léon

    Auvergne

    Retreat to a plush woodland cabin at Chez Léon, 3km south of central Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. Rooms are timber-clad with stone feature walls, beds are…