Mezel (Puy-de-Dôme) walks

A circular route around a small hill in Limagne, now a Sensitive Natural Area, a climb to its summit for a wide view of the Allier valley and the surrounding mountains, then a visit to the old winegrowers' village of Mezel.

This circular loop starting from Mezel offers varied landscapes: a trip to the banks of the Allier to discover the Malmouche cliff, small but very useful for swallows; a stroll on the Puy de la Poules, also small but offering unobstructed views of the Limagne and the Chaîne des Puys; a visit to the village of Mezel to see a whole range of wildlife carved in stone.

A long walk along the Allier between Pont-du-Château and Cournon-d'Auvergne. Discover the pretty site of Pont-du-Château, the water pumping station and the natural site of Malmouche.

This is a short walk on an urban route that follows the green corridor in the village of Le Cendre. A family walk that will allow you to discover this small, welcoming and friendly village.

Take a loop starting from Mirefleurs to discover this eco-park on the banks of the Allier, a former quarry transformed into a natural wetland. You can observe a number of birds from the observation points, so don't forget to bring your binoculars. There are unobstructed views of the Chaîne des Puys in the first part of the walk. Mirefleurs is a pleasant village with many old houses. There are lots of plum and walnut trees along the route.

I invite you to discover the small town of Billom and its surrounding countryside, the little Tuscany of Auvergne, whose gentle hills are ideal for the revival of the wine-growing region. The medieval village of Billom, crossed by the Angaud river, is rich in cobbled alleys lined with half-timbered houses.

Toscane d'Auvergne is a small area of Limagne, between Chaîne des Puys and Livradois-Forez, a landscape of rich agricultural land on gently rolling hills. At the heart of this area, Billom has preserved a superb medieval centre, ideal for a contemplative stroll. The walk ends with a visit (optional as there is an admission fee) to the Jardins de la Croze.

A loop through the gently rolling landscape of fields and woods, the Tuscany of Auvergne, passing through several hamlets around Saint-Julien-de-Coppel, and in particular Roche, dominated by a basalt spur topped by a small Romanesque chapel and offering a very pretty panorama.

From the beautiful wine-growing village of Saint-Maurice, climb to the summit of Puy Saint-Romain for a beautiful view of Sancy, Livradois and the Chaîne des Puys. Then descend to the banks of the Allier to discover the springs of an ancient thermal park.Visorando app useful in certain places.

Between Saint-Maurice and Mirefleurs, two former wine-growing villages, the Vallon des Bouys, overlooking the Allier, consists of dry grasslands whose flora and fauna are protected. Below the valley, old lime kilns bear witness to the local exploitation of limestone. On the site of the former Sainte-Marguerite spa, a geyser awaits your arrival, perhaps to wake up.

The winegrowers' houses in the village of Corent are huddled together on a narrow terrace on the eastern slope of the Corent Plateau. On the plateau, an archaeological site highlights the remains of an important Gallic and then Roman settlement. The slopes of the plateau are covered with vineyards producing the Côtes d'Auvergne Corent AOP. You may even spot some chamois. At the bottom of the plateau, the banks of the Allier are rich in carbonated springs.

In 1630, the Edict of Troyes imposed the union of Clermont and Montferrand, with the transfer of tax administration to Clermont. Montferrand, a former royal town, never recovered from this political decision. Far from the city centre of Clermont-Ferrand, the now neighbourhood of Montferrand, with its exceptional architectural heritage, is well worth a visit, especially as it is easily accessible by tram.

From Romagnat, in the north, cross the Gergovie Plateau to discover the village of Gergovie on the south side. On the plateau, there are beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys and, in the distance, the Massif du Sancy and the Monts du Forez.

From discovering sculptures by a contemporary artist to exploring the remains of this site famous for the Gauls' victory over the Romans, this hike also offers views of the Chaîne des Puys and the wooded areas near the city of Clermont-Ferrand.

A very beautiful hike in Livradois, with remarkable views of the Chaîne des Puys and Limagne.

After visiting the new Place des Carmes, take a stroll through the tree-lined cemetery of the same name, then through the streets to discover some beautiful examples of street art.

An urban hike dotted with pockets of greenery. From south to north, the altitude increases, as does the temperature, passing from the Jardin Lecoq in the centre of Clermont to the Parc de Monjuzet, a small hill rising to 480 m with a Mediterranean garden, then past the beautiful fresco by the End To End collective celebrating the Amazon rainforest, before climbing steeply to reach the ancient Gallic oppidum on the Côtes de Clermont site, at an altitude of nearly 600 m.

An urban walk for Sundays, when shops and restaurants are closed, to discover some beautiful paintings on shop shutters. The itinerary also allows you to discover several murals in the historic centre of Clermont.

This itinerary dedicated to the many fountains of Clermont-Ferrand also allows you to discover the squares and gardens, shopping streets and historic districts of the Auvergne capital.

An urban itinerary to discover the beautiful late 19th and early 20th century buildings in the eastern districts of Clermont-Ferrand city centre.

There are many beautiful buildings in Clermont-Ferrand, but they are often hidden among more ordinary ones. This urban walk takes you along boulevards and streets that stand out for their architectural richness. Although this route focuses mainly on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the itinerary also takes you along a few streets in the historic centre lined with older buildings. The proposed itinerary explores the west and north of Clermont-Ferrand's city centre in particular.

Walk around Clermont's central plateau to discover the street art works of the Such'Art 2022-2023 trail. It is also an interesting route for a quick tour of Clermont's historic centre.

One of three short walks (Saint-Genès, Saint-Pierre, Le Port) offered by Clermont Auvergne Tourisme to discover Clermont's historic center.

One of three short walks (Saint-Genès, Saint-Pierre, Le Port) offered by Clermont Auvergne Tourisme to discover Clermont's historic center.

One of three short walks (Saint-Genès, Saint-Pierre, Le Port) offered by Clermont Auvergne Tourisme to discover Clermont's historic center.

Real and fantastical animals, fauna, legendary creatures, mythological delusions and other hybrid monsters swarm the streets of the city. With a bestiary as its guiding thread, this urban hike will introduce you to many other beautiful things in the centre of Clermont-Ferrand.

In the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area, the Transport à la Demande (TAD) service, in addition to regular bus and tram lines, allows you to travel quite far around the city. This seven-stage itinerary takes advantage of this. Each stage begins and ends at a bus or TAD stop. In between, the routes allow you to discover the villages of the metropolitan area's green belt and the foot of the Puy de Dôme: the built heritage of their old wine-growing or mountain villages, their spa resorts, their natural environments and a few geological curiosities. The first stages follow the course of the Artière, and the last ones follow the course of the Tiretaine, two pretty little rivers, tributaries of the Allier, which originate at the foot of the puys.See "Practical information" for a 4-stage variant with accommodation.

This first stage is mainly urban, with a few green interludes at Parc Bargoin in Chamalières, on the slopes of Puy de Montaudoux, in the chestnut grove of Beaumont and in the small parks along the Artière.

A city route taking in second-hand clothing shops of various standards, as well as a few dressmakers' workshops, fair trade shops, a luxury accessories shop, an antique and regional jewellery workshop, and second-hand bookshops. It's also a good excuse to explore some of the neighbourhoods on the central plateau of Clermont-Ferrand and take a gourmet break in one of the city's iconic cafés.

Exploratory walk through the neighbourhoods north of Clermont's central plateau, discovering recent street art (2022).

From Clermont city centre to Montjuzet Park, located on the small hill of the same name, preserved from urbanisation, offering beautiful views of the Clermont metropolitan area and the surrounding mountains in a Mediterranean atmosphere.

A fairly short second stage between Beaumont and Ceyrat, passing by the pretty Moulin de la Tranchère, a renovated mill on the banks of the Artière, then by the summit of Puy de Montrognon, crowned by a tower that is the remains of a medieval castle.

Walk in the footsteps of Jean de la Nuit! An extraordinary character once lived in this valley, and his legend still lives on in people's memories. Join him on a journey to discover the valley's former activities, heritage, fauna and flora, which you can enjoy during the walk.

In the Clermont-Ferrand area, climb the small puys of Montaudoux and Gravenoire, visit Bargouin Park and Royat Thermal Park. This is an easy hike if you skip the climb to the summit of Montaudoux.

Hike along the slopes of the Montaudoux and Gravenoire puys to reach the viewpoint of the Rocher du Salut. On the way back, you can visit the town and the Royat spa district.

Starting from Chanonat, a pretty medieval village, stroll along the Auzon before climbing to the heights of the Montagne de la Serre. This inverted relief, which rises above the Limagne Plain, was created by the erosion of the sedimentary rocks of the surrounding plain by rivers, including the Auzon on its northern slope.

Discover two ancient villages typical of the region, located on either side of the Serre Mountain, an ancient lava flow overlooking the Limagne, offering views of the puys, the Monts du Forez and the Monts Dore.

An urban walk in Clermont-Ferrand to discover two beautiful murals from 2022 around Montjuzet Park.

A third, very "geological" stage, allowing you to discover an impressive rock chaos, evidence of the Limagne Fault that borders the Plateau des Dômes, and the small gorges of the Artière. The itinerary also allows you to continue your discovery of Ceyrat with a visit to its second ancient village, Boisséjour.

Route around Culhat (pronounced Kuya) in the Limagne plain, which runs along the banks of the Allier. Hike to be done from autumn to spring as there is little shade on the route.

Circular route around Puy de Peyronère, whose northern slopes are covered with orchards, which are characteristic of this part of the Monne valley. The route offers beautiful views and passes through two ancient villages rich in architectural heritage: Saint-Saturnin (castle and remarkable church) and Saint-Amant (castle, old bridge, etc.).

This route is linked to a quiz walk that allows you to discover the town's iconic sites and learn about its history and heritage in a fun way. Find the "Au fil de nos histoires" poster on the church square and scan the QR code to start the game (free, no registration or app download required). You can choose the "adult" trail or the "adult + child" trail (with additional questions for children aged 6 to 11). The description below refers only to the "adult" route.

A walk in the countryside around La Sauvetat, followed by a tour of the village centre, home to the beautiful Commandery of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem.

An easy walk on the outskirts of Clermont-Ferrand in a cool valley.

Close to Clermont-Ferrand, rolling meadows dotted with a few farms and a fast-flowing stream, the Ruisseau de Saint-Genès, also known as the Artière.

A hike that climbs through a forest of pine, fir, oak, beech and chestnut trees, then winds its way through fields and pastures.

Between Issoire and Clermont-Ferrand, the broad, agricultural Limagne plateau boasts a number of beautiful villages with a rich built heritage: forts and ramparts, towers and keeps, fine winegrowers' houses, fountains and wash-houses.

Near Chanonat, this short walk takes you across the Auzon twice and past several ponds. It's a great way to stretch your legs, alone or with your family, in the forest. Moderator's note: some difficulties with orientation on this route. See reviews.

A circular route offering beautiful panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Limagne and the Sancy massif, passing through the ancient villages of Parent, Yronde and Buron. Of note: a pretty church in Yronde (open every time we passed by), the basalt mound of the old feudal castle of Buron called the Citadelle de Buron, fountains, wash houses and traditional dwellings.

This walk on the plateau allows you to walk on paving stones from the old Montpeyroux quarry, visit this magnificent wine-growing village and discover the banks of the Allier in the undergrowth.

The hillsides of the Allier in Puy-de-Dôme were once an important wine-growing area, as evidenced by the architecture of the villages you pass through on this hike. Among them is Montpeyroux, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Starting from Montpeyroux, this circular route takes you to the banks of the Allier and the village of Coude. The medieval fortress of Montpeyroux, "the most beautiful village in France" built with local golden arkose stone, can be visited at the end of the route. You can climb up to the keep-museum, which offers a beautiful view.

The village of Saint-Saturnin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, boasts one of the five most beautiful Romanesque churches in Auvergne. On the other side of the Veyre valley, discover the nine fountains of the wine-growing hamlet of Chadrat, built on the slopes of the Montagne de la Serre, amidst ancient terraces.

Nature walk between meadows, forest, streams and ancient mills, a site rich in history. Pass through amazing places that are linked to druidic rituals and gatherings.

This walk begins in Saint-Saturnin, a village between the Monne Gorges and the Veyre Valley. The village is home to one of the most important Romanesque churches in Auvergne and a royal castle. The walk continues to Notre-Dame de Randol Abbey, passing through green, rolling countryside.

Beautiful landscapes to discover between Volvic, Marsat and Châteaugay... Along the way, you can explore the vineyards and old cellars of Châteaugay.

This hike allows you to discover the Montepo site, which has been developed by the Arkose Association. You will discover stromatolites, a geological curiosity of the tertiary limestone rocks of the Limagne plain. The view before you highlights the Limagne Fault and the associated volcanic activity (informative panels are provided). In May and June, many species of orchids bloom on these dry grasslands. Finally, the balcony trail along the cornices of the old terraces cultivated in the last century offers beautiful views of the medieval village of Saint-Saturnin and its castle.

Hike in the hills of Limagne d'Issoire, including a visit to two old wine-growing villages and passing through the small village of Puy Moriot, old arkose quarries and a stonemason's hut.

Walk on the Champ Griaud plateau, on beautiful paths that once served pastoral plots now colonised by oak trees and wild vegetation, then through vineyards that have been restored to their former glory, before ending with a visit to the cellar district and the medieval centre of Châteaugay.

In the Pays des Couzes, set off to explore the villages of Chadeleuf and Sauvagnat-Sainte-Marthe along wide paths criss-crossing an agricultural plateau offering superb views of the Monts Dore, the hilltop villages of the Limagne and the Puy de Dôme.

A walk in the Plauzat countryside before exploring this beautiful village in Limagne: rich winegrowers' houses, crosses, fountains, wash houses and a beautiful Romanesque church.

This new walk partly follows the route of the old municipal and ONF (French National Forestry Office) walk in the Saint-Babel forest. The new route encroaches on the municipalities of Yronde and Buron to pass by the Borne des Quatre Seigneurs, the Borne du Saut du Cheval and Fayet.

From Ludesse, on the plateau, descend into the Couze Chambon valley to explore two citadel villages, Champeix, the City of Gardens, and Montaigut-le-Blanc, the City of Cats (personal name).