Top Auvergne Tours: Sightseeing & Cruise Choices

If you’re thinking about discovering the gorgeous Auvergne region of France, picking the best way to explore can feel like quite the choice. So, whether you’re into rolling hills, cool historic places, or perhaps a relaxing trip on the water, Auvergne has a number of tours and cruises ready. This review looks closer at some top options, that will give you some helpful info, and give you a better idea about what this very appealing French spot has to offer.

1. Volcanic Park Exploration Tour

That Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne happens to be one of the biggest parks in France, and for good reason. So, this is because it’s got a ton of extinct volcanoes, amazing nature, and some cute villages. One standout way of experiencing the park is with a guided exploration tour. Now these tours often come in the form of day trips leaving from Clermont-Ferrand, that central hub, that everyone likes.

Typically, these tours often include things like: transport in a comfy van, so too a knowledgeable guide, and stops at a couple of top spots like the Puy de Dôme. Maybe it will include the Vulcania amusement park that explores volcanoes in a very exciting manner. Apparently, the Puy de Dôme gives amazing views from the top. You get there by train, or hiking it, yet, if you’re feeling active!

Some tours focus a bit more on the nature side. So, it may be that the expert will point out plant life, and that weird volcanic geology. Also, it’s possible to customize a tour to your taste, so maybe you like easy walks, very long hikes, or getting some neat photographs, yet, all you have to do is tell the operator beforehand.

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2. Historic Clermont-Ferrand Walking Tour

Clermont-Ferrand, that capital town of Auvergne, actually features quite a rich background, with some places that are just perfect to check out on a walking tour. You know, these tours often center around its past and key locations. They might be its amazing cathedral, the Place de Jaude, and little old areas with very cool histories behind them. Often you will get offered tours of all shapes and sizes, from public group tours to a very private tour only for you, so, pick wisely. Yet, a walking tour really is a wonderful introduction to this great town.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port often appears on these tours. So, this ancient place, now a UNESCO spot, it really shows off Roman art and is a “must-see.” Place de Jaude is quite big, it’s like the heart of the town where a lot of town gatherings and happenings often take place. Oh, and listening to those fun facts from someone who knows all about them? Very entertaining.

If it is possible, a personal tour makes stuff quite adaptable. In a way, you get the chance to chat about anything that has grabbed your attention in more detail, plus a local guide often suggests cool locations to grab some food. Or get a wonderful beer perhaps.

Read our full review: Clermont-Ferrand Walking Tour Full Review and Details

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3. Loire River Cruise

Did you know that the Loire River goes through part of Auvergne too? It has some truly striking landscapes. Short cruises often let you admire landscapes. From a very relaxing angle on the water. So, such cruises provide calm ways to unwind as you cruise through green scenery while perhaps enjoying the regional food.

Basically, they might be daytime affairs or lasting a few hours, commonly. You know what would make it so much better? Well maybe adding lunch, or food of some kind that allows you to enjoy nearby meals while taking in all those scenic riverside sites.

It appears some cruises sometimes offer music or guides commenting on points of interest along that riverside, so, keeping sight of exactly where you might be heading remains useful. They can vary. Depending upon who happens to be running the service and time period, it might very well run for you seasonally – keep this somewhere at the back of that lovely head of yours.

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4. Cheese and Wine Tour

Auvergne has some great food for folks very keen on wine, cheese, or that regional dining spot you may enjoy. Some tours mix visiting little vineyards alongside traditional farm environments to display all types of wine/cheese products that this area will gladly present. Honestly, what’s much better compared to savouring tasty neighborhood specialities?

These sorts of journeys often provide a chance to talk to cheese producers/winemakers in person, that could provide information and history pertaining to their talents – usually including examples of tasty cheese along with wine straight from somewhere near where that production went down.

You could find some trips lasting just a single afternoon while people spend them finding the nearby spot with local treats for everyone from wine specialists all way up towards newbies to savor. Don’t forget you could actually go home sporting those gifts, now that sounds great. That way friends of yours are equally involved regarding this fun journey.

Read our full review: Auvergne Cheese and Wine Tour Full Review and Details

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5. Medieval Towns Day Trip

Some areas of Auvergne include those stunning ancient municipalities whose history stretches deep back during previous generations and showcase ancient French buildings and past societies perfectly displayed during walking journeys during times spent wandering across ancient block roads and touring previous fortresses etc, with day trips perhaps covering such locations like that incredibly well looked after town of Saint-Floret or that remarkable hilltop called Montpeyroux.

When venturing there, individuals have a shot at experiencing that area of ancient architecture like historic abbeys plus ancient block roadways – occasionally taking visitors around various destinations along with commentary about various contexts throughout the region’s time periods; that’s actually perfect in general for folks very fascinated while researching Europe from eras previously.

Typically these tours generally leave from bigger locations like Clermont-Ferrand by utilising little people mover transport devices. Too, someone on board will guide them everywhere so questions stay addressed then – maybe it allows someone some chance at simply observing everything all over whilst missing practically almost everything entirely.

Read our full review: Medieval Towns Day Trip Full Review and Details

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