Mont-Doré is a town situated south-west of Clermont-Ferrand in the heart of the Regional Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes, in the Massif Central.
The region around Mont-Doré is known as Sancy, after the Puy de Sancy, at 1886 metres the highest point in the Massif Central, that stands at the end of the valley behind the town.
Explore the town of Mont-Doré
Although it has no major historical monuments, the centre of Mont-Doré is a pleasant place to stroll around in the summer, more 19th century than 20th century in style with old buildings lining the large central open square, which contains rows of plane trees. You will find various cafes lining the edges of this square.
Mont-Doré is very well known as a spa town, with the main baths in the town dating from the first half of the 19th century. Rather sombre from the outside, the thermal baths are actually a very impressive architectural sight that incorporates many styles and includes painted ceilings, marble columns and impressive steel and glass work by Gustave Eiffel.
Tours of the baths are available even if you are not using the spa facilities.
Another popular attraction with visitors, Mont-Doré has the oldest funicular railway in France, that can quickly carry you a further 175 metres up the hill to Salon du Capucin (the funicular is closed in winter).
Mont-Doré is well known as a winter ski resort, and it forms part of the Mont-Doré - Super Besse ski region but even outside the winter ski season Mont-Dore is quite busy because it is an outdoor centre with numerous walked trails heading off into the surrounding hills.
The opportunities for hiking here are virtually limitless and vary from short trails in the valleys to more challenging walks across Puy-de-Sancy and the other mountains. Mont-Doré is also at the end of the very scenic Vallee de Chaudefour, which passes through the hills behind the town, and the Lake Guéry is a lake nearby in a very pretty setting.
The ski resort here, also called Mont-Doré, is found on the north side of the Puy de Sancy, and is connected to the resort of Super Besse on the south of the same mountain. The ski resort is at an altitude of 1200 metres and has 30 pistes covering all levels of difficulty and more than 40 kilometres.
Note: the babbling brook that passes through the town is the Dordogne river, close to its source.
Attractions nearby
As well as enjoying the natural landscapes of the Regional Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes there are various towns near Mont-Doré of interest to visitors such as La Bourboule, a belle-epoque town a short distance to the west of here.
To the east, enthusiasts of historic buildings will want to visit the castle at Murol as well as the lovely roman style church at Saint-Nectaire.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Puy-de-Dome guide and the Auvergne guide.
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Hotels in Mont-Dore
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Map of Mont-Dore and places nearby
Visit near Mont-Dore with France This Way reviews
La Bourboule
La Bourboule is one of the most impressive of the belle-epoque spa towns in France
La Bourboule guide
Murol
The highlight of a visit to Murol is the Chateau de Murol that stands high on a rocky mass above the village
Murol guide
Orcival
Orcival is home to one of the most important roman style churches in Auvergne and has several natural scenic highlights nearby
Orcival guide
Saint-Nectaire
It is the impressive roman architecture of the Church of St-Nectaire-le-Haut that attracts visitors to Saint-Nectaire
Saint-Nectaire guide
Parc des Volcans
The Natural Regional Park of the Volcanoes is a beautiful region of forested volcanic domes
Parc des Volcans guide
Saint-Floret
The tiny village of Saint-Floret with its ruined castle and frescoes is now listed among the 'most beautiful in France'
Saint-Floret guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Puy-de-Dome
Address: Mont-Dore, Rochefort-Montagne, Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, 63240, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.5772, longitude 2.80972
Plan your visit to Mont-Dore, Puy-de-Dome
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Lac du Guery: site of natural beauty (4 km)
- Banne d'Ordanche: site of natural beauty (5 km)
- Puy de Sancy: site of natural beauty (5 km)
- Lac Pavin: site of natural beauty (11 km)
- Jardins de Cordès: remarkable garden (12 km)
- Eglise de Notre Dame (Saint-Nectaire): religious monument (13 km)
- Eglise de Notre Dame (Orcival): religious monument (14 km)
- Volcans d'Auvergne: regional natural parc (22 km)
- Eglise Notre Dame (Saint-Saturnin): religious monument (23 km)
- Saint-Saturnin: most beautiful village (24 km)
- Puy de Dome: grand site of france (25 km)
- Jardins du château de la Batisse: remarkable garden (26 km)
Market days in Mont-Dore, France
Regular market(s) are held in Mont-Dore each Friday all day. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Mont-Dore (Francais)