Puy de Dôme: an iconic volcano to explore and preserve
The Puy de Dôme, the department's iconic volcano, rises majestically to an altitude of 1,465 metres.
This dormant volcano, formed around 11,000 years ago, is a must-see in the Chaîne des Puys, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its exceptional geology. A true symbol of the Puy-de-Dôme region, it attracts sports enthusiasts and scientists alike.
Geological features of Puy de Dôme
Puy de Dôme, a grey volcano, is the result of several formation phases:
Good to know
Comparisons with modern volcanoes such as Mount Saint Helens in the USA or Paluweh in Indonesia show that the formation of Puy-de-Dôme took several decades.
The Puy-de-Dôme at the heart of the Chaîne des Puys
The Puy de Dôme dominates the Chaîne des Puys, a unique group of around 80 volcanoes. Located in the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, it is at the centre of the spectacular geological formation of the Massif Central. The volcano even gave its name to the department of Puy-de-Dôme in 1791.
A temple at the summit of Puy de Dôme
The summit of Puy-de-Dôme is home to the remains of a temple to Mercury dating back to the 2nd century AD.
This mountain sanctuary was part of a religious complex overlooking the capital of the city of Augustonemetum (now Clermont-Ferrand).
Opération Grand Site de France: preserving the Puy de Dôme
Since 2004, the Puy de Dôme has been part of the Opération Grand Site de France programme, which aims to preserve this natural area while promoting sustainable tourism.
This approach includes
The Grand Site de France label was awarded in 2008 and renewed in 2014 and 2021.
Puy de Dôme, a volcano accessible to all
Puy de Dôme is now accessible to everyone, thanks to the road inaugurated in 1926, which replaces the railway platform built in 1907. The Puy-de-Dôme département has worked hard to preserve the volcano from development. It has become a site for scientific research and professional activities.
It remains the region's most visited tourist site, with an average of 435,000 visitors a year. The Puy-de-Dôme continues to promote sustainable tourism, balancing protection of the environment with quality of welcome.
The Dômes loop: itinerary and accommodation
The Dômes Loop is a 2 or 3-day walking trail through the volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys. Along these 49 or 62 signposted kilometres, you'll pass through ember-coloured volcanic lands and cheires, and climb the department's emblematic peak, the Puy de Dôme.
