the region
Auvergne
Land of Volcanoes, land of History, Auvergne never ceases to surprise visitors who go there every year.
In Auvergne, one contemplates the immutable calm of the mountainous horizon, one surrenders to the majesty of the high plateaus, one leaves for a day in search of the many springs of the region.
Upper Auvergne
Also called Haut Pays d'Auvergne, Haute-Auvergne is the southernmost, most mountainous and least populated part of the region. Authentic and timeless territories. Saint-Flour is the perfect gateway.
Saint-Flour, Organs between the suburbs and the upper town
Saint-Flour is split into 2 parts, the “lower town” and the “upper town”. The upper town is perched 900 meters above sea level and located on the Planèze, a large volcanic plateau in Cantal. The lower town, meanwhile, is built in the Ander valley. On the road linking the lower town to the upper town, you can observe the monumental basalt organs, which bear witness to the ancient volcanic activity of Auvergne. The Hôtel du Nord is located in the middle of the rue des Lacs, that is to say in the very center of the upper town.
What to visit around?
In Saint-Flour:
- 400 meters away, enter the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, a 15th century Gothic building made of lava stone. Admire the large Black Christ at the entrance to the choir. When you come out, on the forecourt, take a breather, remembering that these 892 meters of altitude make it the highest cathedral in Europe.
- Around the hotel, stroll through the medieval streets of Sanflora and imagine the effervescence of this commercial city on a market day.
- 1 km away, admire the basalt organs, along the sidewalk between the upper town and the lower town.
In Haute-Auvergne:
- 28 km away, shiver in front of the natural hot springs of Chaudes-Aigues, where the waters, which have made Chaudes-Aigues a hotspot for hydrotherapy in France, come out at a temperature of between 45 and 82°C.
- 13 km away, admire the Garabit Viaduct, an architectural feat by the famous Gustave Eiffel, spanning the Truyère.
- At 34 km, reach the summit of Plomb du Cantal (1855 m) and treat yourself to a panoramic view of the Monts du Cantal.
- At 67 km, fall under the spell of the village of Salers, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France and having given its name to the cheese, the breed of cow and the famous Salers Gentiane cantalienne.
In Auvergne:
- Admire the Chaîne des Puys and let yourself be tempted by one of the many possible hikes in the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes.
- Discover the Vulcania theme park to enrich your volcano culture.
- Visit the many Châteaux of Auvergne, more than forty are open to visitors.
- Bathe in high-altitude lakes and enjoy many water activities with the family.