Hi !
we will be in France for 35 days in july august with our kids (10 and 14 years old). We will stay for 5 nights in Dordogne (after Paris, Bormandy and Britanny). We would like to throw some mountains sights in our trip. Auvergne which is ''besides'' Dordogne seems to have some nice sights. Anyone have been there and can add some ideas for that region ? We would have 4 to 6 nights for that region ? Is there a good base (or 2) ?
Thanks !
Hi!
Last summer I spent three nights in Besse and could easily have spent more time. It was really lovely, a cute small town in the middle of a region of lakes and extinct volcanoes. Far exceeded my expectations!
6 nights could be a bit much, but there is plenty to see and do for 4-5 nights.
In the same region, I heard good things about Orcival, which is a tiny village. And the small towns of Murol and Le Mont Dore also have their charms. But there is no need to change bases within that region around the Puy de Sancy and Puy de Dôme.
If you are really going for 6 nights then perhaps you could split (depends on your travelling style!). In that case, I'd keep 3 nights for the Puy de Sancy área (so, in Besse for example), and spend 3 nights further south-west in Cantal. I know it less, but the area between Salers and Murat is really beautiful.
Food wise, be aware that this part of the world is close to vegetarian hell. But the beef is reportedly excellent.
The Pyrenees are within striking distance of Dordogne. Charming villages and drop dead scenery. High summer is awesome, tour de France will go through in July.
Brad
Also, take a look at Le Puy en Velay in the Auvergne.
Le Puy en Velay is indeed a beautiful town with striking religious architecture. Not sure it will be a hit with the 10- and 14-year old, although the medieval vibe could work. It is also further away from the Dordogne and from Paris. Have a look online for yourself!
Yes, and not only Auvergne but all the mountains in the center of France, (the "massif central" ). Here is a little list.
In the north the "chaine des puys", more than 80 dormant vulcanos, with some lakes.
In the south of the "chaîne des Puys", the "Monts Dore", and the Sancy , with some élegant spa towns :Le Mont Dore, La Bourbouboule , St Nectaire. The medievival castle of Murol may interest your children. Near Murol there is a lake where it's possible to bath, in "Chambon le lac". On the south side of the Puy de Sancy , the quaint town of Besse en Chandesse and the lake pavin ( a dormant vulcano) worth the visit. At 50 kms in direction of the south there another old vulcano, the greatest strato vulcano in Europe. This area is named "les monts du Cantal". In summer it's less busy than the Sancy, but it's so beautiful, and it's also wilder. The castle of Anjony, near Tournemire may interest your children. The historic towns of Murat and Saller really woth the visit.
In the south part of the "Massif central", the Gorges du Tarn and the lozère mount are easily accessible from the Cantal by the free motorway .
The mountains and vulcanos of the "Haute Loire" and of the north of Ardèche woth also visit, with the town of "Le Puy en Velay.
https://www.domaine-lac-chambon.fr/activites-puydedome-63.html
https://www.tourisme-en-france.com/fr/regions-france/35/les-monts-du-cantal/photos
Thanks for all your answers/suggestions !
1) About the Pyrennes, they seems to be spectacular, but that would add time to our backtracking to Paris to catch our return flight. We wont be there for the Tour de France so it's not something we should put in the mix. I've made some reading last night and it seems that driving in The Pyrénées is not always easy. I have driven in the italian Dolomites and mountains in Slovenia and in Western Canada (not always easy !) I dont know how the Pyrénées compare to those.
2) Maybe Puy-en-Valay wouldnt be our kid trip highlight but we dont travel only for them, we have to put stuff that its also appealing for us. Our kids can be pleased with a Gelato,a bag of Haribo candies or a swimming pool somewhere.
3) thanks Bergoula, for the links and all the ideas, That would make us a lot of search to make and choices to be made !
Clermont-Ferrand could be an excellent place to base yourself to explore the Puy, especially Puy de Dome. They really are otherworldly! I'll warn you, it's pretty hard to find tourist info on CF that isn't in English, but it's a pretty approachable place to be once you're there. Pretty well set up for French tourism, but less popular with tourist from other areas. CF is really unique and will definitely make an impression :)
Thanks momo !
English is, obviously maybe, a second language for me (us). We speak french on a daily basis so it's really not a problem !
