Auvergne
If you do one thing in Riom, it's likely to be climbing the 128 stairs of this Renaissance belfry to reach panoramic views of volcanic-stone houses and rolling farmland. Breaking up the ascent are a few simple displays on the town's history and development.
Brochures on art, history and historic neighbourhoods are on sale here (€2).
8.09 MILES
Clermont-Ferrand’s skyline broods with volcanic stone, but its most impressive edifice is Cathédrale Notre-Dame, whose 108m twin spires pierce the sky…
29.4 MILES
This midnight-blue crater lake, enclosed by a fuzz of pine trees, lies 6km southwest of Besse. Blasted out of the earth by a volcanic explosion nearly…
21.13 MILES
Split across two buildings, this museum gives an entertaining account of cutlery-making history. In number 23, a kid-friendly sound-and-light show evokes…
9.68 MILES
Feel the Auvergne's smouldering terrain beneath your feet at this mined volcanic site, across the main road from amusement park Vulcania. In summer, at…
23.3 MILES
Roosting on a basalt knoll above Murol village, the 12th-century Château de Murol offers peerless views along with insights into a brutish medieval past…
6.95 MILES
Housed in an Ursuline convent 3km northeast of central Clermont, the city’s premier gallery takes design cues from NYC’s Guggenheim, its white spiral…
0.15 MILES
Dating back to 1866, the Musée Mandet's splendid collection of art is arranged across two atmospheric hôtels particuliers (town houses). Exploring these…
22.27 MILES
The Papon family put St-Nectaire's hot springs to creative use at the 'Petrifying Fountains', channelling the mineral-rich waters to make art. Calcium…
0.13 MILES
This ornate Romanesque church dates back to the 13th century, though its Gothic flourishes (such as the bell tower) were added in the 19th century. The…
0.13 MILES
This 4000-object collection is a thorough primer on local traditions, with a focus on rural customs in the 19th century (expect plenty of antique farming…
0.15 MILES
Dating back to 1866, the Musée Mandet's splendid collection of art is arranged across two atmospheric hôtels particuliers (town houses). Exploring these…
4. Église Notre Dame du Marthuret
0.16 MILES
Peer into this shadowy late-14th-century church to see Riom's most prized relics. The Vierge noire (Black Madonna) dates to the 13th or 14th century…
3.7 MILES
This medieval fortress glowers over Volvic from its 600m-high hilltop perch. A watchtower is thought to have stood here since the 10th century, but the…
3.94 MILES
A fine example of a Romanesque church, 12th-century St-Priest has dark volcanic stone details and boasts three richly decorated chapels. Look up to see…
4.19 MILES
Gasp at the daredevil quarrying feats of Volvic's past in this kid-friendly museum. There are subterranean passages to explore (bring a jacket) and flash…
4.38 MILES
Learn about Volvic's world-famous mineral water at the company's Espace d'Information, a 10-minute walk west of Volvic's tourist office. Free hour-long…