In the heart of Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park, Mont-Dore is a small commune on the banks of the Dordogne. Its thermal springs have been revered since at least Roman times, with high concentrations of sodium bicarbonate, iron and arsenic in the water. Mont-Dore’s ski slopes descend the Puy de Sancy, the highest mountain in the Massif Central.
Things to do in Le Mont-Dore
Be sure to ride the Funiculaire du Capucin, which was built in 1898 and remains the oldest electric funicular in France. It ascends to the 1,245-metre-high Salon du Capucin, from where you can access hiking trails such as the themed Sylvatorium du Capucin. Descend to Mont-Dore along the Chemin des Artistes, which celebrates the artists who came to bathe in the town’s therapeutic waters.
Encompassing four volcanic massifs, Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park is the largest park of its kind in mainland France and surrounds Mont-Dore. Climb to the 1,465-metre-high summit of the Puy-de-Dôme for sweeping views across the Chaîne des Puys, which is studded with cinder cones and lava domes. Nearby is Lake Guéry, the highest lake in Auvergne.
In the winter months, you can hit the downhill runs of the Mont-Dore ski resort, which lies between 1,200 and 1,840 metres. There are slopes to suit all abilities, as well as a family-friendly area with three sledding tracks and an electric snowmobile circuit. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails connect to the spectacular Plaines Brûlées plateau.
Getting around Le Mont-Dore
Mont-Dore is around a one-hour drive from Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. The much larger Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport is three hours away. Buses connect to Mont-Dore and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.