Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, Regional natural park in Auvergne, France.
The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park extends across 3,897 square kilometers, featuring volcanic formations, crater lakes, and diverse mountain landscapes.
Created in 1977, the park safeguards Europe's largest volcanic area, including notable peaks like Puy de Dôme and Puy Mary within the Massif Central mountains.
Local communities within the park maintain traditional practices of agriculture and craftsmanship, contributing to the preservation of regional French mountain heritage.
Visitors can access numerous hiking trails, educational centers, and geological sites throughout the park, with the main information center located at Château de Montlosier.
The park contains Lac Pavin, a deep crater lake formed by volcanic activity, characterized by its circular shape and surrounded by dense pine forests.
Location: château de Montlosier
Inception: 1977
Address: Château de Montlosier, 63970 Aydat, France
Website: http://parcdesvolcans.fr
GPS coordinates: 45.65000,2.96667
Latest update: May 27, 2025 11:45
France contains protected areas with diverse landscapes and ecosystems. The national parks include alpine regions with peaks exceeding 3000 meters, glaciers and mountain lakes, Mediterranean coastlines with limestone cliffs and marine reserves, and island zones with underwater trails. Regional nature parks feature volcanic areas with 80 extinct volcanoes, extensive wetlands with thousands of ponds hosting over 200 bird species, moorland landscapes in the Ardennes, and coastal zones with lagoons and salt marshes. These protected areas shelter ibex, chamois, marmots, lynx and birds of prey. Visitors find marked hiking trails, historic villages and traditional farming operations.
France maintains eleven national parks and dozens of regional nature parks that protect diverse landscapes from the Mediterranean coast to the Alps. The protected areas preserve mountains, coastlines, wetlands, volcanic formations and forests. They provide habitat for various wildlife and plant species while offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and other outdoor activities. The Parc National des Écrins and Vanoise National Park lie in the French Alps, featuring alpine terrain with glaciers and mountain lakes. Mercantour National Park stretches from the Maritime Alps to the Mediterranean coast. Calanques National Park near Marseille protects limestone cliffs and inlets. Cévennes National Park in Occitanie encompasses forested mountains and plateaus. Coastal areas such as Port-Cros and Camargue preserve Mediterranean ecosystems and wetlands. The Volcans d'Auvergne in the Massif Central protects extinct volcanoes and lava fields, while parks like Morvan and Ballons des Vosges preserve forested mid-elevation ranges.
Clermont-Ferrand is distinguished by its dark volcanic stone architecture and its close proximity to the Chaîne des Puys. The religious heritage includes the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port, an outstanding example of 12th-century Auvergnat Romanesque art, and the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Cathedral, a Gothic building constructed from volcanic stone. The Place de Jaude serves as the hub of city life, lined with historic buildings and shops. The city hosts several museum institutions that explore local and industrial history. The Roger-Quilliot Museum of Art is housed in a former Ursuline convent and displays works from the 14th to the 20th century, while L'Aventure Michelin traces the evolution of the tire industry since 1889. Lecoq Garden covers 12 acres of green space in the city center. A few kilometers away, the Regional Natural Park of the Volcans d'Auvergne spans nearly 1,500 square miles and offers access to the Puy de Dôme, a volcano rising to 4,785 feet (1465 meters), and Puy Pariou, which reaches 3,960 feet (1209 meters) in altitude.
Cantal mountains
65.5 km
Puy Mary
64.3 km
Plomb du Cantal
67.7 km
Puy Griou
66.6 km
Puy de Peyre-Arse
63.3 km
Puy Violent
65 km
Téton de Vénus
64 km
Puy Chavaroche
66.6 km
Château d'eau du Lioran
64.5 km
Puy du Rocher
66.4 km
Cascade de Faillitoux
73.1 km
Puy de Seycheuse
61.4 km
Roc d'Hozières
64.8 km
Cascade de Liadouze
67.7 km
L'Élancèze
70.7 km
Bec de l'Aigle
63.8 km
Puy Bataillouse
64.2 km
Puy de Massebœuf
65.5 km
Église Saint-Germain du Falgoux
61.3 km
Église Saint-Julien de Saint-Julien-de-Jordanne
70.1 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste du Claux
58.1 km
Saint-Jacques de Saint-Jacques-des-Blats Church
69.4 km
Église Saint-Laurent de Mandailles
69.3 km
Oratoire du Sartre
55.8 km
Moulin de Drils
57.9 km
Maison Saury
60.4 km
Puy de la Tourte
62.8 km
Puy de Niermont
58.8 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes