8 visits to immerse yourself in history: castles, dolmen, museum...
Florian Meyer • June 23, 2022
Castles, archaeological remains, dolmens... History has left numerous testimonies in Puy-de-Dôme around the campsite. Here are some ideas for visits that will take you from antiquity to the present day!
- Château de Murol (15 minutes from the campsite): you will return in 1492 to the court of Guillaume de Murol! This perfectly preserved castle is perched on the heights of Murol and offers the added bonus of an exceptional panorama from the top of its ramparts. The visit is exciting and suitable even for the little ones who will have a great time attending the knights' jousts in the castle courtyard , not to be missed!
The interior is furnished with many reconstructed rooms from the kitchen to the armory. Information on the Murol castle website
- Troglodyte fortress of Jonas (30 minutes from the campsite): a surprising site dug into a volcano whose beginnings date from the 9th century! The visit will introduce you to this castle which defended the valley, with more than 60 cavities and staircases cut into the rock . A great discovery that will interest young and old! Animated visits , with costumed characters, are organized during the summer.
Bonus: two escape games were created in caves around medieval intrigues!
(we haven't tested them yet but we hope to be able to do so soon :-) Info on
the Jonas Fortress website
- Château de la Bâtisse
(15 minutes from the campsite): this estate dating from the 14th century has undergone successive modifications until it became a magnificent pleasure residence with its French gardens.
It now hosts visits allowing you to explore the history of the Gallo-Roman era up to the Age of Enlightenment, through the Middle Ages, thanks to outdoor reconstructions. A night show is also offered during the summer. Information on
the Château de la Batisse website - Gergovie Museum
(20 minutes from the campsite): located on the site of the famous battle of Gergovie (52 BC), this archaeological museum takes you back to this confrontation between Julius Caesar and Vercingétorix!
An immersive room allows everyone to relive the battle by visualizing the places where it took place. Period objects and reconstructions also make the story more “palpable”. Perhaps a little too theoretical for the little ones, the museum is however quite accessible to children interested in history. Take advantage of your visit to admire the panorama of the Gergovie plateau, a beautiful walk goes around it .
Information on
the Gergovie Museum website - Dolmens and menhirs : several megaliths are present around the campsite, they date back to a very ancient period between 2800 and 2700 BC. The two closest are the Fohet menhir (or Long Stone) and its 4.75m height (in Aydat, 5 minutes from the campsite), and the Dolmen de Cournols (or the Grotte aux fées ) in 15 minutes from the campsite.
They always have an effect when discovered, whether for children or adults! - Oppidum de Corent
(30 minutes from the campsite): this would be the capital of the Arverni , the Gallic people who populated the region. Excavations are still underway on the Corent plateau site but it is possible to discover part of the remains already unearthed. You can walk around the public square, pass by the hemicycle of the Gallic assembly or see the remains of the Gallo-Roman theater. A 3D reconstruction allows a virtual visit to the Oppidum de Corent site .
- Temple of Mercury (25 minutes from the campsite): the highest Gallo-Roman temple is perched at the top of Puy de Dôme! It was built in the 2nd century in honor of Mercury, god of commerce and protector of travelers. You can now visit the remains either on a self-guided (and free) tour or on a guided tour.
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