Best Attractions in the Massif Central  The Massif Central is best explored by those who love the great outdoors with excellent walking in the summer months and the closest skiing to Paris in the winter months.  All the major attractions in the area take advantage of the geology of the area, for example with many canoeing centres, underground caves to explore and centres such as Vulcania which are built around the theme of the volcanic past of the region.

Volcan de Lemptegy

Location: On route D941b about 18kms NW of Clermont-Ferrand in
Saint Ours les Roches.
General Info: www.auvergne-volcan.com (French only) Tel No: 0(4) 73 62 23  25 Open all day (times vary) from early Feb-mid Nov plus the Christmas holidays. Different prices for guided and self visits. Average of €6 for children and €8 adults.
Description: This is a vast site where you can see many features typical of the volcanic landscape such as volcanic chimneys, lava flows and huge volcanic bombs. You can do the 2 different tours, one on foot and the other by train. A written English translation is available.
Our recommendations: Perhaps combine with a visit to Volcania.  If you are staying for a few days in the area it may be worth buying a 3 site pass to cover this attraction as well as Vulcania and the Puy de Dôme. This costs €27 per person.
For the children: Children over 4 and over 1m20 may enjoy ending their visit in the Exploding Mine, a simulated earthquake, and the only one of its kind in France.

     - Aven Armand caves
     - Chaos de Monpellier-le-Vieux
     - Mont-Dore Aventures
     - Parc Ecureuil
     - Roquefort Société
     - Saint-Nectaire Aventures
     - Site Troglodyte de Jonas
     - Volcan de Lemptegy
     - Vulcania
 

Something the children will love - try canoeing in the Tarn.