• At a glance
  • Auvergne & Walks
  • Accommodation & Meals
  • Travel options
  • Photos
At a Glance

Your Holiday at a Glance


Guided walking holiday
  • Auvergne - Lakes, volcanoes and historic villages
Dates for 2010
  • 26 May - 2 June
Price per person
  • £595
Grade
  • grade moderate walking holiday Auvergne France
Profile
  • 8 days: 6 days two-centre, guided walking. Altitude maximum 1886m, average 1200m.
Highlights
  • Varied spectacular volcanic landscapes
  • A region of perfectly preserved volcanic domes easily accessible on foot
  • Dramatic waterfalls, beautiful lakes and strange rock formations
  • Historic villages with important romanesque churches built from the volcanic stone
  • Great views and abundant wildlife
  • Welcoming guest houses in historic buildings
Testimonials
  • "Wonderful holiday, your knowledge of the geography and geology of the area added to the interest of the walks which were both varied and interesting. I appeciated the opportunity to see such a wide area of the Auvergne and would have a hard time deciding which of the walks I liked best." Ricki Bull
Accommodation and Meals
  • 7 nights accommodation in two 2 and 3 star equivalent guest houses, double and twin rooms with own bathrooms. All breakfasts included, 6 packed lunches and 6 evening meals
What's included
  1. Airport and station transfers from Lyon
  2. Transport to and from the start of each walk
  3. 7 nights' accommodation
  4. Full Board. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure and one evening meal)
  5. 6 guided walks
What's not included
  1. Travel between the UK and Lyon, France
  2. Lunches on the day of arrival and departure
  3. Transfers, other than those from Lyon
  4. Any excursions or entrance fees
  5. Drinks to accompany some meals
Walks

Auvergne- Lakes, volcanoes & historic villages

The Northern Auvergne in central France is home to some of the finest landscapes of the Massif Central. They make for interesting and varied walking with lush green valleys sheltering beneath windswept upland ridges and peaks, affording breathtaking views in all directions. The Auverge is also the region with the highest number of Romanesque churches and monuments in France. For the most part built on celtic sacred sites, these works of art tell a tale of labour, faith and passion of the middle ages. Whether it be important churches, smaller but no less charming chapels or historic villages, they are set within sumptuous naturel scenery that has been designated a regional natural park. Volcanic and glacial lakes, volcanic domes, rocky cliffs and towers, and dramatic waterfalls all vie for attention. In the north, the Chaine des Puys are a range of 80 geologically recent volcanic domes and cones which stretch as far as the eye can see. These varied landscapes are also a haven for wildlife, including birds of prey, deer, marmots and a host of wild flowers.

Find out more about the Auvergne

Walks

The walks on this guided walking holiday are graded moderate and explore the full range of landscapes found in the northern Auvergne. There is the option of making some walks longer and days out on the hills are interspresed with shorter easier days exploring the lakes and villages of the region. Ascents are generally no more than a couple of hundred metres at a time. Average length is about 14km. All the walks are on good paths. The upland terrain, is occasionally rocky and requires a small degree of surefootedness.

 

Location Auvergne Massif Central France guided walking

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome and pick up in Lyon and drive to Auvergne.

Day 2: A stroll amid the volcanoes

This circular walk explores the most impressive volcanoes in the Puy de Dome area; a remarkable landscape found in the northern Auvergne which is unique in Europe. With some volcanoes as young as 7000 years old, this region of perfectly preserved volcanic cones lets you walk back in time to an era when lava and hot ash filled the skies. We will climb onto the Puy Pariou before completing a gentle traverse underneath a series of volcanoes. Afterwards we'll visit, by vehicule, the Puy de Dome, the highest of the volcanoes at 1465m, which is also the site of a 1st century Roman Temple.

Day 3: Around Orcival

Today we'll visit the pretty village of Orcival nestled in a secluded valley and its 12th century basilica. This is an easy walk that passes chateaux, chapels, historic villages and has lovely views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. If there's time we'll visit the Puy Vache whose red summit provides amazing views of the Puy de Dome.

Day 4: Descent from the Puy de Sancy

We'll take the cable car from Mont Dore to the top of the Puy de Sancy, a spectacular summit with amazing views, which is not only the highest point in the Auvergne, but in the whole of the Massif Central, reaching 1885m (6184ft). After taking in the views we have the choice of two walks leading back down the valley. The longer option follows the glacial u-shaped valley revealing a multitude of views of rocky faces, dramatic waterfalls and views over the surrounding hills and valleys.

Day 5: La Banne d'Ordanche

Near the town of Mont Dore, this moderate walk starts by the Col de Guéry where there are great views of two volcanic rock towers which stand like sentinels either side of a beautiful glaciated valley. We then pass by Lac Guéry to ascend by a gentle path to the Banne d'Ordanche, offering great views of the Puy de Sancy.

Day 6 Lac Pavin and Besse

Today we visit lac pavin, a remarkable circular volcanic lake, the youngest volcanic formation in France. A lovely walk around its rim is followed by a picturesque walk to the historic village of Besse en Chandesse with its town walls and pretty cottages built from volcanic rock.

Days 7 Murol and St Nectaire

Our last walk goes from the village of Murol with its medieval hilltop chateau to St Nectaire, known for its famous cheese (visit of cheese maker) and home of a remarkable 12th century church situated on Mont Cornadore.

Day 8: Departure

Return to Lyon and transfer to UK

Contact us about this guided walking holiday

 

lac guery sancy massif auvergne guided walking holiday

eglise at st nectaire Auvergne guided walking holiday

grande cascade Sancy Auvergne France guided walking holiday

lac pavin puy de dome Auvergne France guided walking holiday

 

Please Note: Further information about the walks in Auvergne will be sent to you prior to your holiday. We will endeavour to keep to these walks as far as possible on our guided walking holiday; however they are subject to change. In addition, we like to maintain a certain degree of flexibility to take account of the group’s abilities and interests, and the local conditions. The final selection of walks will be made by your guide during the week after consultation with the group.

Bed

Accommodation & Meals


On this guided walking holiday, you will be staying in two guest houses during the course of your holiday. They are traditional Auvergne properties offering authentic and comfortable accommodation. The exact guest houses used will depend on availability. Below is a representative selection of the ones we use.

A hearty and healthy continental breakfast provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialities such as home-made jams and local cheeses. At midday we will eat packed lunches prepared by our hosts and they will be eaten during the course of the walk. All evening meals will be taken at your guest house, with the exception of one evening where we will dine in a local restaurant. (This meal is not included in the price of the holiday). Local specialities will be available to try every evening.

Name Type Details Rating  
Domaine de Goulandre B&B Renovated farm house situated in a hectare of land at Saint-Sauves nr Le Bourboule 3 Corns Domaine de Goulandre Auvergne France guided walking holiday puy de dome
Ferme de Fontaneix Auberge Renovated histroic farm situated at the foot of Mont Sancy near the Lac Pavin   Ferme de Fontaneix Sancy Auvergne puy de dome France guided walking holiday
Travel Options

Travel Options


Flight Options

Transfers from Lyon airport or train station

Easy jet: London Stanstead – Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 13.35 – arrive; 16.20
Return - Departure: 20.55 – arrive; 21.35

Bmi: Manchester – Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 13.00 – arrive; 15.55
Return - Departure: 16.25 – arrive; 17.20

British Airways: London Heathrow - Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 08.40 – arrive; 11.15

Return - Departure: 19.20 – arrive; 19.55

Please note – This information is correct at the time of publication. High Point Holidays cannot be held responsible for any change in schedules made by the above operators. Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. In addition, we can only guarantee transfers from the practical flights listed above. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.

By Train

Eurostar and the TGV provide a quick and relaxing journey from London to Lyon.
Transfers from Lyon St Exupery and Lyon Part Dieu.
www.raileurope.co.uk
www.eurostar.com

By Car

Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Lyon area takes about 7-8 hours (excluding long breaks). Tolls amount to about 30 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Channel crossings are provided by the following companies.

www.poferries.com

www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk/

www.eurotunnel.com

For general information on routes and bookings see. www.ferrysavers.co.uk/

Photos

Photos


Auvergne region Puy de Dome France
Auvergne region Puy de Dome France
Besse et st Anastaise Auvergne region Sancy France guided walking holiday
Auvergne region Puy de Dome France
Grande Cascade Puy de Sancy Auvergne guided walking France
Puy pariou  Auvergne guided walking holiday France
Valley near Puy de Sancy Auvergne guided walking France
View towards Puy de Dome Auvergne guided walking France
Puy de dome from Puy Pariou Auvergne guided walking holiday France