You want to visit the Volcanoes of Auvergne, this beautiful region of central France known for its spectacular volcanic landscapes.

But with more than 80 volcanoes, it's difficult to know where to stay to visit the most beautiful volcanoes in the region as easily as possible.

In this article, I will tell you the best places to stay and explore this unique region. You will discover the most beautiful volcanic sites, the closest towns and villages and the best located ones for a road trip or a circuit around the volcanoes of Auvergne.

The best places to stay in the Auvergne Volcanoes

The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park offers a multitude of accommodation options, from rural lodges to charming hotels and campsites.

Here are the best areas to stay to be as close as possible to the most beautiful volcanoes:

Villages where to stay to explore the Auvergne Volcanoes

To explore the Auvergne Volcanoes, several towns and villages offer ideal accommodation options, allowing you to explore this volcanic region rich in natural landscapes and outdoor activities. Here are some recommendations:
Recommended Villages and Cities

1. Mont-dore offers easy access to some of the region's most iconic volcanoes, including Puy de Sancy, the highest point in the Massif Central at 1886 meters above sea level. This proximity allows visitors to easily enjoy hikes and excursions to major volcanic sites, such as the Chaîne des Puys, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, Salers is a charming medieval village with lava stone houses and cobblestone streets. It is surrounded by nature, offering easy access to hikes in the Auvergne Volcanoes Park.
3. Saint-Nectaire is ideally located in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park, making it a strategic starting point for exploring the region's volcanic sites. The Puy de Sancy and the Chaîne des Puys are easily accessible from this town.
4. Usson is a picturesque village perched on a volcanic hill, offering breathtaking views of the Puys mountain range and Mont-Dore. This village is famous for its ruins of the Château de la Reine Margot and its volcanic organs, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding volcanoes.

Recommended hotels for visiting the Auvergne volcanoes

THEAlti'Pic Hotel, located at Mont-dore, is an ideal choice for exploring the volcanoes of the Auvergne region thanks to several advantages:

• The hotel is located in the immediate vicinity of the Puy de Sancy, the highest peak in the Massif Central and a volcano culminating at 1886 meters. This geographical location allows visitors to easily access tourist visits to the volcano park.
• The surroundings of Alti'Pic Hotel are rich in outdoor activities. Guests can enjoy hiking trails that take them through unique volcanic landscapes, as well as other activities such as mountain biking and paragliding. The area is also known for its thermal spas, offering a perfect opportunity to relax after a day of exploring.
• The hotel offers a breathtaking view of the Puy de Sancy and the surrounding mountains. The common areas, such as the garden and the terrace, allow visitors to fully enjoy this panorama while relaxing in a peaceful setting.

THEMercure Saint-Nectaire Hotel combines a strategic location, wellness facilities, a variety of activities and a local gastronomic offer. It is therefore an ideal choice for those who wish to explore the Auvergne volcanoes while enjoying a relaxing stay.

Cities where to stay to visit the Auvergne Volcanoes

If you are looking for cities for your stay, Clermont-Ferrand and Puy-en-Velay are ideal bases for exploring the Auvergne Volcanoes.

Clermont-Ferrand

As the largest city in the region, Clermont-Ferrand is a great base for exploring the Auvergne Volcanoes. Here you will find a wide variety of hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as many places of interest such as the Gothic Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Cathedral.

Le Puy-en-Velay

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Le Puy-en-Velay is a city rich in history and architecture. Its half-timbered houses, Romanesque churches and imposing cathedral make it a prime destination for discovering Auvergne culture.

Visiting tips

If you want to visit the most beautiful sites in this region, I recommend you follow my itinerary around the volcanoes of Auvergne.

And if you want to organize your days of visits without taking a tourist circuit, here is some useful information:

The most impressive volcanoes

Among the many volcanoes in the region, some stand out for their size, shape or geological history. Here are the most impressive:

1. The Puy de Dome : With its majestic summit and its silhouette recognizable among a thousand, the Puy de Dôme is without a doubt the most emblematic volcano of the Auvergne Volcanoes.
2. The Puy de Sancy : Culminating at an altitude of 1 meters, the Puy de Sancy is the highest point of the Puys chain. Its imposing silhouette makes it one of the most impressive volcanoes in the region.
3. The Puy de Lemptégy : Open to the public, this active volcano offers a unique experience of discovering the interior of a volcanic system.
4. The Puy de Pariou : With its horseshoe shape, Puy de Pariou is one of the most photogenic volcanoes in the region.
5. Lake Pavin : Nestled in the heart of an ancient crater, Lake Pavin is a very beautiful natural site.

Picturesque villages to visit

In addition to outdoor activities, the Auvergne Volcanoes are home to many picturesque villages that are worth a visit:

• Orcival: With its magnificent Romanesque basilica and cobbled streets, Orcival is one of the most charming villages in the region.
• Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise: This mountain village, nestled at the foot of the Puy de Sancy, offers an authentic and preserved setting.
• Le Puy-en-Velay: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this medieval town is home to a Gothic cathedral and numerous historic monuments.
• Salers: “Most Beautiful Village in France”, Salers is a medieval village to visit with its stone houses and cobbled streets.
• Murol: Dominated by its medieval castle, Murol is a typical village of the region, offering a breathtaking view of the Puy de Sancy.