Puy de Dôme summit walkway

This walkway takes you around the summit of the Puy de Dôme, offering 360° views. Along the way or in the immediate vicinity, reading tables provide explanations of the landscape you’re looking at.

1. Start in front of Espace Grand Site de France,
– Interpretation table n°1 : the southern(…)

This walkway takes you around the summit of the Puy de Dôme, offering 360° views. Along the way or in the immediate vicinity, reading tables provide explanations of the landscape you’re looking at.

1. Start in front of Espace Grand Site de France,
– Interpretation table n°1 : the southern part of the Chaîne des Puys
> Location : on the esplanade behind the reception building, accessible by stairs.
> Description : as our gaze sweeps over this long string of volcanoes stretching as far as the Sancy massif, we become fully aware of the meaning of the Chaîne des Puys. This southern section is the most densely wooded, making the volcanic forms less visible. The Grosmanaux, Monchier, Laschamps and Mercoeur puys stand out in this alignment…

2. Retrace your steps, cross the forecourt and take the wide staircase,
– Interpretation table no. 2 : the tectonic high spot of the Chaîne des Puys-Faille de Limagne is right in front of you.
> Location : near the Temple of Mercury
> Description : From this privileged location, discover landscapes that reveal the different mechanisms involved in the formation of a continental break.

– Eugène Renaux stele
> Location : near the picnic hall, accessible from the Espace Temple forecourt (AR : 10 min).
> Description : this stele commemorates Eugène Renaux’s achievement in flying from Paris to the summit of the Puy de Dôme in 1911 in a rudimentary two-seater, winning the famous Michelin Grand Prix.

3. Return to the circular path and walk around the antenna.
– Interpretation table 3 : emblematic volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys
> Location : on the route, on the north side of the antenna
> Description : This is where you’ll find the most breathtaking view of the Chaîne des Puys and its iconic volcanoes.

4. Continue on to the west side of the summit.
– Interpretation table 4 : close by, the Sancy massif and the Combrailles plateau
> Location : follow a perpendicular path to reach the top of a hillock.
> Description : from here, we can discover two of Auvergne’s most emblematic landscapes : to the south, the Sancy massif, and to the west, the Combrailles plateau.

5. Join the Maison de Site forecourt