Auvergne, a volcanic land

The "Parc des Volcans", located in the heart of the Auvergne region, in the departments of Puy-de-Dôme and Cantal, is the largest park in France. Covering 395,068 hectares, it is also one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1977. The park is made up of five volcanoes with very strong identities, from soaring peaks to vast plateaux. The famous Dome Mountains feature a line of 80 volcanoes (still active and monitored), of different shapes and sizes.

These geological wonders have a history stretching back thousands of years, and most visitors come here to admire them.

Puy de Dôme: nicknamed the giant of domes, it has become a veritable symbol of the Puys mountain range and the Auvergne region. It was at the very top, at an altitude of 1,465 metres, that the Romans built a temple dedicated to Mercury. We still wonder how they managed to drag the materials to build this temple, now a ruin. To reach the summits, either take a hike or opt for the little electric cogwheel train, which takes 15 minutes to reach the top. The view as the crow flies is fabulous (if the weather is clear). You can see the entire regional nature park and its volcanoes, including the Doré and Cantal mountains. At the summit, there's also a food court (savoury snacks, hot drinks and sweet treats).

Puy Mary: classified as a "Grand Site de France", Puy Mary is one of the most visited volcanoes in the region. This iconic pyramid rises 1,787 metres above sea level and was formed around 6.5 million years ago. There are superb views from the summit, which overlooks the Cantal mountains, the Puy Griou dome and the Plomb du Cantal. It's not an easy walk to the summit, but there are plenty of places to stop along the way to catch your breath.

Puy de Sancy: at 1,885 metres, Puy de Sancy is the highest point in the Massif Central. The highest volcano in mainland France, its alpine ridge, steep slopes and jagged crests contrast with the other peaks of the Massif Central. Take a cable car ride to the summit. It takes you over 450 metres in four minutes! Then continue the 20-minute ascent on foot, via a wooden staircase (caution for people with vertigo).

Puy du Pariou: this small 8,000-year-old volcano stands out for its silhouette - which you've no doubt seen in Volvic adverts. At 1,290 metres above sea level, this volcano has two hiking trails (approx. 2 hours round trip) to the summit where you can enjoy fabulous views over Clermont-Ferrand. You can even descend to the centre of the volcano to explore the crater floor (around an hour's walk).

Puys de la Vache and Lassolas: these twin volcanoes, born of the same eruption, share the same physical features: rough, stony slopes indicate that their craters are not closed. Other peculiarities: the red earth resembles Mars, and their shapes are conical. A visit to Puy de la Vache takes around 1? hours (3 km), and to Puy de Lassolas around 2? hours (5 km). From the top of the Puy de Lassolas, you can admire a breathtaking view over the countryside.

Puy de Lemptégy: born 30,000 years ago, Puy de Lemptégy is a popular visit to see its colours and layers of strata. It presents itself as an amphitheatre of volcanic history. You can enter the volcano on foot or opt for the 2.5-hour guided tour on the little train, an immersive experience that includes a simulator ride.

Vulcania is a scientific experiment on volcanoes, perfect to complement the geological discovery of the region. In 2002, the Vulcania park opened its doors some 15km from Clermont-Ferrand, right in the middle of the Puys chain. This not-to-be-missed attraction gives visitors a chance to discover and understand the mechanism behind earthquakes and how our planet works. This site dedicated to volcanology is half underground and conical, like a volcano. It was dug out of a 30,000-year-old lava flow.

Vulcania offers a range of experiences, including 5D films, dynamic platforms, interactive exhibitions, a science theatre and much more. Plus: climb aboard a balloon to fly over the volcanoes! This museum is an exceptional expedition into the world of volcanoes and oceans.

Keeping with the volcanic theme, Volvic water is born from the rain and snow that fall on the volcanic park in the region. The water takes years to filter through the mineral-rich layers before being bottled.

You can discover the geological origins of the water during a visit to the Volvic information centre. You can go behind the scenes of Volvic natural mineral water, which exists thanks to a preserved ecosystem. Visitors can see an exhibition, then experience the bottling plant using virtual reality headsets, and then it's time for a tasting!