Massif du Sancy: a playground between lakes and volcanoes

Close to the resort of Le Mont-Dore, there is a cable car that climbs more than 450 meters in less than 5 minutes! At the arrival, the rocky escarpments and the rounded mounts of a deep green form an impressive mountain scenery that has nothing to envy to the Alps or the Pyrenees. But to really get a good view, you have to make the effort to climb the 860 wooden steps leading to the summit of the Puy de Sancy, the roof of the Massif Central. On a clear day, you are rewarded by a 360° view on the Puys chain up to the Mont-Blanc.

Téléphérique du Sancy

Surrounded by forests and rocks, Lake Pavin fascinates with its almost perfect circular shape and its intense blue. Legends, linked to the unusual depth of the lake, which reaches 92 m, tell that a village would be sunken at the bottom. Although it is not possible to swim in the lake, it is possible to ride a pedal boat on the calm waters of this volcanic crater that has naturally filled with water. Born only 7000 years ago, it is still considered an active volcano. Another peculiarity is that Lake Pavin is the only meromictic lake in France: its surface water and deep water do not mix. Subject of scientific studies, this lake is an enchanting site suitable for beautiful walks in summer and winter.

Lake Pavin

For 13 years, the festival Horizons "Arts-Nature" Sancy offers a unique opportunity to discover works of contemporary art immersed in unexpected natural sites, such as the source of a river, the heart of a crater, a cave ... Among the 11 monumental works distributed on the territory in 2019, "Akènes, Ouverture céleste", realized by the plastic artist Oriane Bajard, is particularly poetic. These are wooden corollas, located at human height, between the trees of a beautiful forest. When approaching the installations, one understands that the walker is invited to pass his head in the corolla to look towards the sky and observe the top of the trees, which one often forgets while walking.

Horizons Sancy

Just a stone's throw from Le Mont-Dore, on the south side of a small high altitude lake, the Auberge du Lac de Guéry is a charming address where it is good to stay for lunch or a weekend. Bought in 2016 by a couple passionate about motorcycles, beautiful landscapes and decoration, this 18th century coaching inn with its traditional lauze roof houses 7 charming rooms overlooking the lake. The restaurant, all in warm wood, has made a name for itself, notably in the revival of regional specialties, such as Arctic char, a fish found only in high altitude lakes. On sunny days, its large terrace overlooking the lake is ideal for contemplation or just relaxing.

Auberge du lac de Guéry

Located on the southern slopes of the Sancy massif, this nature reserve is a well-kept treasure. With its steep summits, its eroded mountains, its glacial valleys, its waterfalls and other moors and peat bogs, the grandiose landscapes of Chastreix-Sancy offer a real change of scenery. The reserve is not very frequented and you can walk or ride along its paths almost alone.

Natural reserve of Chastreix-Sancy

It is in the mountains, on the volcanic land of the Monts Dore, that the star cheese of the region, Saint-Nectaire, is made. It acquired its letters of nobility in the 17th century when the Marshal of France Henri de Sennecterre (to whom it owes its name) introduced it to the court of the Sun King. Renowned for its sweetness and delicate hazelnut taste, Saint-Nectaire is produced in one of the smallest PDO areas in France, on flowery meadows that give it all its flavor. Passionate farmers, such as the Roux cheese factory in Beaune-le-Froid, welcome gourmands with open arms (by appointment) for a visit of their cellars and a tasting.

Ferme Roux, in Beaune-le-Froid