Four days by car lead from Vichy's spa quarter through Clermont-Ferrand and the foothills of Puy de Dôme to Aurillac's Cantal setting and Le Puy-en-Velay's volcanic skyline. Riverside walks, historic streets and volcano views shape the journey; thermal treatments, summit trains, long hikes and indoor visits are optional.
Auvergne: Spa Towns & Volcano Country is a 360 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 4-day trip; the plan below is the 4-day version for June, built from 136 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Vichy→ 60 kmClermont-Ferrand & the Puy de Dôme→ 160 kmAurillac & the Cantal→ 140 kmLe Puy-en-Velay
What you'll see
Célestins Beach
Relax by the Allier River on this peaceful, redeveloped riverside beach.
Vichy
Parc Montjuzet
Enjoy panoramic views of the valley from this scenic park overlooking the town.
Clermont-Ferrand & the Puy de Dôme
Aurillac-and-Cantal public city-and-landscape circuit
Check current Cantal road conditions and use lawful town parking for Aurillac’s bounded public historic-centre, Jordanne and mountain-setting circuit. Museums, festivals, long walks and guided visits remain separate.
Aurillac & the Cantal
Église Saint-Laurent
Visit Église Saint-Laurent, where intricate details and historic relics await exploration.
Le Puy-en-Velay
Vichy public spa-quarter-and-Allier circuit
Use lawful city parking for a bounded public circuit through Vichy’s spa-quarter streets, parks and Allier riverfront. Thermal treatments, interiors, performances, events and booked activities remain separate.
Vichy
Clermont-and-Puy-foot public volcano-gateway circuit
Use lawful Clermont parking for the public centre, then the Maison de Site car park for a bounded low-level Puy de Dôme foothill and volcano-setting visit. Summit rail, shuttle, long or high walks and paid interiors remain separate.
Clermont-Ferrand & the Puy de Dôme
Le Puy public old-town-and-volcanic-setting circuit
Use lawful city or park-and-ride parking for a bounded public circuit through Le Puy’s old-town streets and volcanic-rock viewpoints. Religious and museum interiors, tower admissions, festivals and long Camino walks remain separate.
