My husband and I are driving from Lyon to the Dordogne in early September. Rather than drive directly, we'd like to stop en route for one night. We were thinking of visiting Puy-en-Velay, but also pondering Clermont-Ferrand or Vichy. Does anyone have a favorite stop along the way or suggestions for side trips? Merci!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Puy-en-Velay, not Vichy. Vichy is a well known spa town with racing, casino, and shopping; unless that's what you're looking for, it should be taken off the list.
Puy-en-Velay: now you're talking, the opposite of Vichy. Don't miss the fantastic views from the upper rim of the basin, especially at sunset. Go to Google Map, find the town, enable the Panoramio layer and click the pics, which are worth a thousand words.
Posted by
Alencon, Normandy, France
66 posts
Just bear in mind that Puy-en-Velay, like most Auvergne peaks, is very often shrouded in mist at that time of year so there may not be much of a view!