5 family activities in the Puy-de-Dôme: our top picks in less than ’1h from the campsite
Discover 5 activities to do with your children in the Puy-de-Dôme, less than ’1h from Camping Les Volcans. Dinosaurs, animals, hikes and creative workshops: ideas for family memories!
Most of the time you will not have to drive more than 25 minutes for your activities, visits and hikes around the campsite. But we have selected 5 activities a little farther away in the Puy-de-Dôme, but they are worth the detour!
Paléopolis, à 55 minutes, à Gannat.
The whole family will dive into theworld of dinosaurs! This family park is perfectly adapted for a day of discovery, of experiences and play. Children and adults will find what they are looking for. Some activities, such as the fossil search in the conditions of real little paleontologists, will inevitably remain a striking memory!
Small catering is offered on site but the large picnic area with playground is also a good option.
Info on the Paléopolis site
Auvergne Wildlife Park, à 55 minutes, à Ardes-sur-Couze
A très beautiful zoological park situé à flanc de colline (attention, ça climbs a bit !) and now focuses solely on threatened species. C'est the first park in the world à make this choice ! The route is well pensé with passages à l'intérieur of some enclosures, the possibilité to clearly see all animals with adapted viewpoints. Red panda, lion, tiger, giraffe, wolf, panthère... Your favorite animals will definitely be there!
We recommend a day when the sky is gray and not too warm, as these are the best conditions to see the animals come out and move.
Info on the wildlife park website
Amethyst House, at 55 minutes, in Vernet-Chaméane
This place is dedicated to this violet semi-precious stone to which many virtues are attributed. Children will love the offered activities: from outdoor prospecting to find their own amethyst, to workshops to polish their stone, see it turned into jewelry! Depending on the chosen activities, you will need to plan between 2h and a full day on site.
Reservation highly recommended, the number of spots per activity is limited.
Info on the amethyst house website
Cutlery workshop, à 50 minutes, à Thiers
Set off à the discovery of the cutlery capital à Thiers ! Start with a visit of the musée of the knife (allow 1h30 of visit) and go à l'Atelier Le Thiers for make your own knife ! This activité s'adapts à the whole family, from 4 years with a butter knife. L'experience promises to be être mémorable (attention when même, ça cuts !) and you will leave with your own vacation memory.
The added bonus: this workshop is committed to a solidarity tourism approach by working for the professional integration of its passionate employees.
Info on the site of l'Atelier Le Thiers
Ideas for hikes à 50 minutes from the campsite:
- The Valley of the Saints, à Boudes. This hike of about 2h will completely change the scenery. Here no volcanoes or other lakes and waterfalls, but remarkable geological formations that give it a true Colorado feel! The colors, the chimneys... make us travel.
- Lac Chauvet, a very beautiful lake nestled on the other side of the Sancy massif and which remains very wild. Several hikes are possible from 2h. Attention, it is not possible to go around it. But you will have beautiful viewpoints up to the Cantal massif!
- Méandre de Queuille, very photogenic, this meander has a true Auvergne Canadian vibe! You can discover it from a set-up viewpoint or by taking the hiking trails that wind through the forest of these perfect gorges :-)
The Les Volcans campsite is located in the center of these 5 activities! You will be able to enjoy it without adding extra driving time. Do not hesitate to ask us for advice at the reception upon your arrival. And to continue your trip preparation, you can consult our FAQ.
