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    Mont-Dore

    France

    Mont-Dore

    City

    Le Mont-Dore is a traditional spa town in the valley of the young Dordogne, at the foot of Puy de Sancy in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. France
    7. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    9. Mont-Dore
    Le Mont-Dore is a traditional spa town in the valley of the young Dordogne, at the foot of Puy de Sancy in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne. Thermal springs, Belle Époque buildings, and its location between extinct volcanoes make the town a starting point for hiking and winter sports in the Massif du Sancy.

    Sights in Mont-Dore

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Les Thermes du Mont-Dore

    1Les Thermes du Mont-Dore

    The Thermal Baths of Le Mont-Dore occupy the site of Gallo-Roman baths, whose remains are visible inside. The current volcanic rock building dates from 1817, designed by Charles Ledru: strictly Neoclassical outside, adorned with colourful mosaics and paintings inside. It remains a working spa today; the tourist office offers guided tours of the building.
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    Puy de Sancy

    2Puy de Sancy

    The Puy de Sancy, at 1886 meters, is the highest peak of the Massif Central. A cable car takes you from the valley end near Le Mont-Dore almost to the summit, from there a path with steps leads up in about 20 minutes. At the top, you'll enjoy panoramic views over the Monts Dore and the volcanic landscape of Auvergne. The weather at the summit can change quickly; check with Météo-France beforehand.
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    Les Cascades du Mont-Dore

    3Les Cascades du Mont-Dore

    Entdecke die beeindruckenden Wasserfälle rund um Mont-Dore. Ein einfacher Spaziergang führt dich zur malerischen Grande Cascade, wo das Wasser tosend über Felsen stürzt. Wenn du mehr Zeit hast, lohnt sich auch der Weg zu den Cascades du Queureuilh und du Rossignolet, die inmitten einer idyllischen Waldlandschaft liegen und zu einer erfrischenden Pause einladen.
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    Lac de Guéry

    4Lac de Guéry

    Lac de Guéry is located at around 1250 meters and is considered the highest lake in the Auvergne. It formed in a hollow scoured out by glaciers, which was later dammed by a lava flow; at the end of the 19th century, its water level was raised for a power plant. A circular path of about one and a half to two hours leads around the lake; along the way, you can admire the rocks Roche Tuilière and Roche Sanadoire. Fishing is permitted, but swimming and boating are not.
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    City walks in Mont-Dore

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Mont-Dore: Gipfelblicke & Naturpfade – Zum Capucin und seinen Wasserfällen

    Dieser Spaziergang entführt Sie aus dem Herzen Mont-Dores direkt in die beeindruckende Bergwelt des Massif du Sancy. Erleben Sie historische Technik, rauschende Wasserfälle und atemberaubende Panoramen, während Sie die Höhen erklimmen, die den Kurort umgeben. Ein Erlebnis für Naturliebhaber und alle, die eine andere Perspektive auf Mont-Dore suchen, abseits des Stadtzentrums und Flusses.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
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    Stops (7)

    Restaurants & Cafés

    Le 1050

    Im Herzen von Mont-Dore gelegen, verwöhnt dich das 'Le 1050' mit traditioneller Auvergne-Küche in einem gemütlichen Ambiente. Probiere unbedingt die herzhafte 'Truffade' oder ein Gericht mit lokalem Saint-Nectaire-Käse – perfekt nach einem Tag in den Bergen.
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    La Table du Sancy

    Erlebe gehobene regionale Küche in 'La Table du Sancy', wo frische, saisonale Produkte aus der Umgebung kreativ zubereitet werden. Die Speisekarte wechselt regelmäßig und bietet dir eine moderne Interpretation klassischer Gerichte der Auvergne in einem eleganten, aber dennoch entspannten Rahmen.
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    Le Bistro de la Cascade

    Direkt neben der Grande Cascade findest du diesen charmanten Bistro, der sich ideal für eine Mittagspause oder einen Kaffee zwischendurch eignet. Genieße leichte Gerichte, regionale Salate oder hausgemachte Crêpes mit Blick auf die beeindruckende Natur – einfach perfekt nach einer kleinen Wanderung.
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    Food & Beverages

    Le Mont-Dore thrives on spa tourism and mountain sports. The cuisine is that of Auvergne: cheese, potatoes, and beef.

    Truffade

    Potatoes with fresh Tomme cheese, pan-fried. Usually served with ham and salad.

    Saint-Nectaire

    The cheese comes from the neighboring valley and ripens on rye straw. Farmstead versions bear an oval green casein mark.

    Potée auvergnate

    A hearty stew of pork, cabbage, and root vegetables that truly hits the spot after a day in the mountains.

    Gentian and Verbena

    Gentian aperitif and verbena liqueur from the region are served before and after meals.

    Cultural Heritage and Architecture

    The history of Le Mont-Dore is closely tied to its thermal springs. Baths existed here as early as Gallo-Roman times, with remnants visible in today's thermal building. The town flourished as a spa resort in the 19th century and during the Belle Époque.Constructed from 1817, the thermal building followed plans by architect Charles Ledru, utilizing Andesite, a volcanic rock. Its exterior is strictly neoclassical, with round-arch arcades and gables, while the interior is richly decorated with colourful mosaics and water-themed paintings; parts are heritage-listed. Numerous hotels and villas from around 1900, along with the Capucin funicular from 1898, also date from this era.Besides the spa operations, the traditions of Auvergne shape the town, especially in its regional cuisine featuring cheese from the Sancy area.

    Exploring locally

    The town center with its Belle Époque buildings is best explored on foot. The funicular ascends to the Plateau du Capucin; the cable car at the valley's end goes almost to the summit of Puy de Sancy. A car is most practical for exploring the volcanic landscape and surrounding lakes. In winter, shuttle buses run to the ski resort.

    Accommodations in Mont-Dore

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    Campgrounds in Mont-Dore

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      • 1Les Thermes du Mont-Dore3 days
      • 2Puy de Sancy4 days
      • 3Les Cascades du Mont-Dore5 days
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    Nearby

    Lac Chambon

    Lac Chambon

    The **Lac Chambon** is located at the foot of the Massif du Sancy in Auvergne and is of volcanic origin: A lava flow from the Tartaret volcano once dammed the Couze valley. With its bathing beaches, lakeside path, and the visible Murol castle, it is a popular destination for families, hikers, and water sports enthusiasts.
    Puy de Dôme

    Puy de Dôme

    At 1465 meters, the Puy de Dôme is the highest volcano of the Chaîne des Puys, a World Heritage site since 2018 as part of “Chaîne des Puys – Faille de Limagne”. You can reach the summit on foot or by the Panoramique des Dômes rack railway. From the top, enjoy panoramic views of the volcanic chain and the Limagne plain, and see the remains of a Roman Mercury temple.
    Regional Natural Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes

    Regional Natural Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes

    Founded in 1977, the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne is, with nearly 390,000 hectares, the largest Regional Nature Park in mainland France. It encompasses the Chaîne des Puys with around 80 volcanoes, including the Puy de Dôme, the Monts Dore with the Puy de Sancy, the Cantal Massif, and the Cézallier high plateau. The landscape is characterized by volcanic cones, crater lakes, alpine pastures, and forests, and boasts a dense network of hiking trails. In the villages, you can find cheeses like Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, and Salers. The hiking season usually runs from May to October; early mornings are the quietest on the well-known peaks.
    Clermont-Ferrand

    Clermont-Ferrand

    Clermont-Ferrand is the largest city in Auvergne and the gateway to the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of extinct volcanoes that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is known for its Gothic cathedral built from dark lava stone and as the headquarters of tire manufacturer Michelin.
    Salers

    Salers

    Salers, at an altitude of around 950 metres in the green highlands of Cantal in Auvergne, is one of the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France'. In its cobblestone streets stand well-preserved towers and mansions made of dark lava stone, most dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
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