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.
- Puy de la Combegrasse, the essential in an hour! It's the ride to do even if you only spend one night at the campsite. Count a good hour including a nice little coast to climb the Puy but without major difficulty. And the climb is worth the detour: at the top you will have a 360 ° panorama on the chain of Puys and on the Sancy massif (with 2 orientation tables). It is also a very beautiful place to admire the sunset (provide hot clothes)! This hike is accessible to children, from 3 years old, taking its time. Please note, dogs are not allowed during summer periods, from May to October. As a bonus: the brochure "I discover the Puy de Combegrasse" (available at the reception of the campsite) The Puy de Combegrasse hike (beware here the departure is not a campsite) want to extend the pleasure? Add the Puy de l'Enfer and the Espinasse Narses after the Puy de la Combegrasse. Or about 3 hours of walking (10km, yellow markup) still from the campsite. This hike offers great discoveries with in particular the amazing Espinasse Narse, an old crater at the foot of the Puy de l'Enfer, which has long been haunted! You will also be entitled to sublime panorama on the Puys channel. Details of the Balirando hike. - Puy de Vichatel, a magnificent crater in 2:30 am! It is the second deepest crater in the Puys chain after Puy Pariou), and it is possible to go inside, a great experience! A large part of the hike is in wood (very pleasant the sunny days) with beautiful views at the top. The ride lasts about 2:30 or 3 hours with children, on very practicable paths. The route is not marked out from the campsite but you cannot get lost with an IGN card or a GPS application. The course is available is line. - Puy de la Rodde, a hike of about 1 hour (3.3km) partly in the undergrowth, so very pleasant in hot weather! This volcano opposite the entrance to the campsite was the subject of arrangements in 2025 which allow to benefit from very beautiful panoramas on the Sancy massif and the chain of Puys but also to guess its crater at the top. The path is well practicable and accessible without problem with children. A new essential in the sector! Puy de la Rodde hiking route departing from the campsite - Puys de la Vache de Lassolas, the twins in one day! Go with the picnic to discover these two beautiful twin craters. On the menu: glowing pozzolan and panoramas of the exceptional on the chain of Puys! To take advantage of it you will have to face two beautiful ribs and a lot of stairs. Our little advice: climb by Puy de Lassolas, because his path is in a pozzolan, very slippery on the descent. On your way you will also come across the Puys de Charmont and La Rodde. To discover these Puys with young children, prefer the departure of the parking lot provided for this purpose. Proposals for a 16km loop between the campsite and the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas or a longer alternative with an 18.5 km course from the campsite. - Lac de Servières, a day discovery! This lake was formed in a volcano crater and offers a still wild landscape. The hike to access it from the campsite is a round trip without any particular difficulty with several beautiful views. It is possible to eat along the way to Pessade. The hike of about 19 km is done by following the white and red marking of the GR from the campsite.
Our advice for hiking with young children (from 3 years old) in the Puy de Dôme: Puy de combegrasse, Lac Pavin, Lac de Servière, Mont Dore waterfall...
Giant zip line, via ferrata, tree climbing, e-foil, paragliding, summer tobogganing... Sensational activities around the campsite in Aydat in the Puy de Dôme (from 3 years old)
Want to go down a river in a canoe or kayak? Two possibilities are available to you depending on the type of river you expect: - On the Allier for a bit of speed and some rapids. Departure with Auvergne Loisirs from Pont-du-Chateau or Sainte-Marguerite (30 minutes from the campsite). You will discover this tributary of the Loire which is worth the detour. Our advice is to opt for the course between Coudes and Ste-Marguerite for the scenery and the rapids! (-10% on canoe rentals thanks to the Pass'Arverne available at the campsite reception) - On the Sioule for a peaceful descent in a wild setting. Departure with Aqua Canoe in Ebreuil (55 minutes from the campsite) or Sioule loisirs (1 hour from the campsite). A little extra: possibility of combining your canoe trip with a Via Ferrata or rail bike depending on the location! Ready for the canyoning adventure? Embark with Auvergne Loisirs with a meeting point at Chambon-sur-Lac (15 min from the campsite, then a little further on the road to get to the start). Then you will have a busy program: jumps, abseiling, slides... between natural pools and waterfalls! The jumps range from 2 to 7 meters in height. Are you more into sailing or paddling? Aydat Lake is the largest natural lake in Auvergne and offers a magnificent playground for all types of boats: pedal boats, paddle boats, windsurfing, catamaran, optimist, canoe... You will inevitably find what you are looking for in the sailing school (3 km from the campsite) which offers several rental formulas. Want originality? Try your hand at e-foil or wing-foil to surf the lake. It is also possible to participate in the courses organized during the summer over several days. (-10% on activities thanks to the Pass'Arverne available at the campsite reception)
Cheeses, beers, apple juice, chips, wines... We offer as many local products as possible at the campsite's grocery store and snack bar. Discover these Auvergne producers who will delight you.
Our ideas for activities and visits to do when it rains around the campsite in Aydat, in Puy-de-Dôme. Vulcania, Aventure Michelin, castle, swimming pools, climbing... You can continue to enjoy your vacation despite the rain!
