Auvergne places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Auvergne region. See also our Auvergne travel guide.
Allegre (Haute-Loire)
Be sure to climb to the castle above Allegre to see the views after taking a stroll around the village See Allegre guide
Ambert (Puy-de-Dome)
The quiet town of Ambert in the Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez has a small medieval centre to explore See Ambert guide
Arlempdes (Haute-Loire)
Arlempdes is a very small village but the character of the village, the ruined castle and the valley of the Loire combine to make it very picturesque See Arlempdes guide
Aurillac (Cantal)
Close to the scenic Route des Cretes', Aurillac lacks major monuments but is a very pleasant town to explore See Aurillac guide
Auzon (Haute-Loire)
The cobbled streets of Auzon wind up the hill from the river, passing an imposing church and medieval houses See Auzon guide
Billom (Puy-de-Dome)
It is the half-timbered houses and medieval gateways that provide the charm in the centre of Billom See Billom guide Advertisement
Blesle (Haute-Loire)
There are a remarkable number of sites of interest in the small village of Blesle because in medieval times it was an important town for the local Barons See Blesle guide
Brioude (Haute-Loire)
Brioude is most visited for the Basilica Saint-Julien, the largest romanesque church in the Auvergne See Brioude guide
Cassaniouze (Cantal)
Cassaniouze is a small town in Cantal with several small attractions See Cassaniouze guide
Charroux (Allier)
Charroux is a very quiet Auvergne village, unusual in the 'village centre' being a hard to find area of grass! See Charroux guide
Chateau de Laroque (Cantal)
Chateau de Laroque is a 13th century fortified castle on a hill above the village of Laroquebrou in the Auvergne See Chateau de Laroque guide
Chateau de Val (Cantal)
The Chateau de Val is an impressive medieval castle on the edge of a lake in Cantal See Chateau de Val guide
Chateldon (Puy-de-Dome)
The ancient city of Chateldon still retains an important part of its medieval castle and fortifications See Chateldon guide
Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dome)
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, in sombre black lava stone, dominates the historic centre of Clermont-Ferrand See Clermont-Ferrand guide
Clermont-Ferrand basilica (Puy-de-Dome)
The basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port in Clermont-Ferrand is one of the most important romanesque churches in the Auvergne See Clermont-Ferrand basilica guide Advertisement
Courpiere (Puy-de-Dome)
Once home to Coco Chanel, Courpiere is a village in the Livradois-Forez natural park See Courpiere guide
Fontanges (Cantal)
Fontanges is a small village in the Monts du Cantal region at the foot of the largest volcano in Europe See Fontanges guide
Herisson (Allier)
The ruined castle and the historic centre along the banks of the Aumance river are the principal attractions in Herisson See Herisson guide
Issoire (Puy-de-Dome)
Best known for its romanesque church, Issoire is a very pleasant and unspoiled town to explore See Issoire guide
Junhac (Cantal)
Junhac is a pretty village of Cantal, with an attractive church See Junhac guide
La Bourboule (Puy-de-Dome)
La Bourboule is one of the most impressive of the belle-epoque spa towns in France See La Bourboule guide
La Chaise-Dieu (Haute-Loire)
The church, cloisters and Danse Macabre fresco in the abbey are the major attraction in La Chaise-Dieu See La Chaise-Dieu guide
Lapalisse (Allier)
The renaissance style Chateau de la Palice, its internal decorations and its gardens are the main highlight when you visit Lapalisse See Lapalisse guide
Laroquebrou (Cantal)
In Laroquebrou you can see the Cere river below the village and a ruined castle above... See Laroquebrou guide
Lavaudieu (Haute-Loire)
Lavaoudieu is listed among the most beautiful villages in France, and has the roman style Abbey de Lavaudieu as principal attraction See Lavaudieu guide
Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
The town of Le Puy-en-Velay is very interesting to visit and an important pilgrimage town, as seen in its many religious monuments and statues. See Le Puy-en-Velay guide
Marcoles (Cantal)
The fortified village of Marcoles dates from the 10th century and is one of our favourite Cantal villages See Marcoles guide
Mauriac (Cantal)
The religious monuments such as the basilica and the monastery are the highlights in the small town of Mauriac See Mauriac guide
Maurs (Cantal)
In Maurs you can see the Abbey Church of Saint-Cesaire and half-timbered houses in the medieval town centre See Maurs guide
Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dome)
Mont-Dore is well placed to explore the scenic splendours of the area such as the Vallee de Chaudefour, and is also a small ski resort See Mont-Dore guide
Montlucon (Allier)
Periods of prosperity in the 12th, 15th and 19th centuries have each contributed monuments and buildings to the centre of Montlucon See Montlucon guide
Montpeyroux (Puy-de-Dome)
Montpeyroux is a small village now listed among the 'most beautiful in France' and very pleasant to explore See Montpeyroux guide
Montsalvy (Cantal)
Montsalvy is an 11th century town with an interesting historic centre See Montsalvy guide
Moulins (Allier)
In the historic centre of Moulins it is the cathedral that is the most imposing monument See Moulins guide
Mourjou (Cantal)
Mourjou is historically a very important chestnut producing region in France, and it is still this and the surrounding chestnut forests that are of interest to visitors See Mourjou guide
Mozac (Puy-de-Dome)
The interesting Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Mozac combines early roman elements and later gothic elements See Mozac guide
Murol (Puy-de-Dome)
The highlight of a visit to Murol is the Chateau de Murol that stands high on a rocky mass above the village See Murol guide
Olliergues (Puy-de-Dome)
Olliergues is a small village with an unspoiled historic centre in the Livradois-Forez naturel parc See Olliergues guide
Orcival (Puy-de-Dome)
Orcival is home to one of the most important roman style churches in Auvergne and has several natural scenic highlights nearby See Orcival guide
Parc des Volcans (Puy-de-Dome)
The Natural Regional Park of the Volcanoes is a beautiful region of forested volcanic domes See Parc des Volcans guide
Pradelles (Haute-Loire)
Both the picturesque historic village centre and the lovely viwes make Pradelles a highlight in the Haute-Loire department See Pradelles guide
Puy de Dome (Puy-de-Dome)
Puy-de-Dome is the most famous, and most accessible of the Auvergne volcanoes and has lovely views across the rest of the chain of volcanoes See Puy de Dome guide
Riom (Puy-de-Dome)
The quiet regional town of Riom has several monuments of historical importance to see as you explore See Riom guide
Riom-es-Montagnes (Cantal)
After exploring the town and church in Riom-es-Montagnes be sure to follow one or two of the trails into the Natural Regional Park of the Vocanoes See Riom-es-Montagnes guide
Saint-Chamant (Cantal)
Saint-Chamant is a small Auvergne village with a castle in the Monts du Cantal region See Saint-Chamant guide
Saint-Floret (Puy-de-Dome)
The tiny village of Saint-Floret with its ruined castle and frescoes is now listed among the 'most beautiful in France' See Saint-Floret guide
Saint-Flour (Cantal)
Although built in rather sombre granite, we found lots of interesting sights in the quiet town of Saint-Flour See Saint-Flour guide
Saint-Nectaire (Puy-de-Dome)
It is the impressive roman architecture of the Church of St-Nectaire-le-Haut that attracts visitors to Saint-Nectaire See Saint-Nectaire guide
Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule (Allier)
The quiet town of Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule lacks major monuments but merits a stroll when you are in the region See Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule guide
Saint-Saturnin (Puy-de-Dome)
With ancient narrow streets, an imposing church and its position on the side of a steep valley Saint-Saturnin is among our favourite Auvergne villages See Saint-Saturnin guide
Salers (Cantal)
Salers, listed as a 'most beautiful village in France' is very lovely - and also very popular (crowded!) with visitors See Salers guide
Sauxillanges (Puy-de-Dome)
The principal monuments in Sauxillanges, the monastery and the castle, are not open to the public but the village is still pleasant for a look when you are in the region See Sauxillanges guide
Sénezergues (Cantal)
Sénezergues is a tiny village with lovely views and an imposing castle See Sénezergues guide
Souvigny (Allier)
The Priory Church of Saint-Peter and Saint-Paul with the tombes of the Dukes of Burgundy reminds us how important the quiet town of Souvigny was 500 years ago See Souvigny guide
Thiers (Puy-de-Dome)
Not always considered a tourist destination, Thouars actually has a facscinating historical centre with several interesting highlights See Thiers guide
Tournemire (Cantal)
The very picturesque village of Tournemire is overlooked by the Chateau de Anjony See Tournemire guide
Usson (Puy-de-Dome)
One of the least developed of the 'most beautiful villages in France' (a good thing!) the quaint centre of Usson is overlooked by a large statue of the Virgin Mary See Usson guide
Vichy (Allier)
The spa town of Vichy is best known for its bottled water and as centre for the government of unoccupied Fraance during the Second World War See Vichy guide
Vieillevie (Cantal)
On the banks of the Lot river the small village of Vieillevie is very pretty and also in a very attractive region of France See Vieillevie guide
Volvic (Puy-de-Dome)
One of the most famous bottled waters in the world is from Volvic, which is also a pleasant town in the 'Volcano' region of the Auvergne See Volvic guideFor more information see the Auvergne guide
Tourist attractions to visit in Auvergne
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
UNESCO world heritage sites
Clermont-Ferrand église Notre-Dame-du-Port (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Le Puy-en-Velay cathédrale Notre-Dame (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Le Puy-en-Velay Hotel-Dieu St Jacques (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Arlempdes: See tourist guide
Blesle: See tourist guide
Charroux: See tourist guide
Lavaudieu: See tourist guide
Montpeyroux: See tourist guide
Pradelles: See tourist guide
Saint-Saturnin: See tourist guide
Salers: See tourist guide
Tournemire: See tourist guide
Usson: See tourist guide
National Monuments
Aulteribe Chateau
Chareil-Cintrat Chateau
Villeneuve-Lembron Chateau
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Ambert: See tourist guide
Issoire: See tourist guide
Lapalisse: See tourist guide
Le Puy-en-Velay: See tourist guide
Neris-les-Bains
Riom-es-Montagnes: See tourist guide
Saint-Flour: See tourist guide
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Clermont-Ferrand: See tourist guide
Le Puy-en-Velay: See tourist guide
Riom: See tourist guide
Thiers: See tourist guide
Theme Park
Le PAL
Towns of Art and History
Issoire: See tourist guide
Le Puy-en-Velay: See tourist guide
Marsat
Montlucon: See tourist guide
Moulins: See tourist guide
Mozac: See tourist guide
Riom: See tourist guide
Salins
Ville d'etape
Lapalisse
Massiac
Montmarault
4* Towns in Bloom
Vichy: See tourist guide
Zoo or wildlife park
Parc d'Attractions et Animalier (PAL)
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