20 activities and visits around the campsite to do when it rains
Florian Meyer • April 29, 2024
If the rain were to disrupt your stay at the campsite, we have good news: there are plenty of activities to do nearby to continue enjoying your vacation despite the weather! Indoor visits, sheltered sporting activities, artistic awakening... there is something for all tastes and all ages!
Rain is never very pleasant, but by adapting the holiday program a little it is possible to continue to make the most of it. Here are some suggestions for activities suitable for rainy weather around the campsite:
- Swimming and relaxing in Royatonic , 25 minutes from the campsite. Baths at over 30 degrees, jacuzzis, hammams, saunas... Royatonic invites you to relax in the beautiful setting of this spa town. It is also possible to benefit from treatment. Online reservation recommended. From 6 years old.
Other indoor swimming possible with young children: Chamalières swimming pool, O'Sancy in La Bourboule; Les Ermines in Super Besse...
- Indoor visits to stay dry
:
- L'Aventure Michelin (35 minutes from the campsite, in Clermont), great to do even with young children. You can easily spend 2 hours there, or even more for adults. No need to be passionate about tires or cars to be captivated by the very well-constructed tour.
- Grotte de la Pierre de Volvic (40 minutes from the campsite), you will discover the history of the exploitation of this volcanic rock which still marks the architecture of the region. Depending on the day, two visits are offered: a historical visit or the cave of lights for a majestic spectacle.
- Petrifying fountains and/or Grottes du Cornadore ( 20 minutes from the campsite, in Saint-Nectaire) where you will discover the techniques of petrifying objects in one (a true work of artists!) and the ritual journey of the first Roman baths in the other. Also come and discover the beautiful Romanesque church of St-Nectaire-le-Haut.
- Museum of the Battle of Gergovie (20 minutes from the campsite). On the very scene of the battle (but in a beautiful, dry building!) you will relive the fight led by Vercingétorix and his men against the Romans of Julius Caesar. It is also a discovery of the life of the Arverne people. Many of the elements presented require reading, so we recommend visiting ages 8-10.
- Visits partially dry but possible in rainy weather:
- Lemptégy volcano (25 minutes from the campsite), opt for the tour by little train you will almost always be sheltered when exploring the crater of this exposed volcano. The start of the visit takes place indoors and the two final dynamic films are also dry. Still bring a raincoat for the exterior passages and if you want to go down and collect volcanic stone!
- Château de Murol (15 minutes from the campsite), the visit is 50/50 between inside and outside so it's doable! You probably won't enjoy the knight show outside but you will have more time (and probably fewer people) to visit the castle rooms.
- Ferme GAEC de l'Oiseau (20 minutes from the campsite), there is not good weather to go to the farm so take advantage of a rainy day to watch the milking (in the shelter), see the calves well warm inside, as well as the pigs, sheep... Boots and raincoats are a must anyway!
- Vulcania (25 minutes from the campsite) where most activities are indoors, so it is particularly suitable for rainy weather. But these are also the busiest days...
- Indoor climbing , at the Aydat leisure area (5 minutes from the campsite) with a very nice wall or in the B'up rooms in Clermont which offer bouldering, Clip'n climb, route areas...
- Artistic awakening at
Millesformes
(30 minutes, in Clermont). This art initiation center is free and offers activities for children aged 0 to 6 (older children can accompany their younger brothers and sisters). It's great, and dry!
- Goodride park
(25 minutes from the campsite, in Aubière) an indoor skate park 100% dedicated to skateboarding, bmx, scootering... with numerous trails, a pump track, air bag...
- Indoor leisure parks
for children, for example the Royal kids or Youpi park .
But also: cinemas, bowling alleys, escape games...
- 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.
5 good reasons to come to Auvergne for the spring holidays between volcanoes, activities and discovery of nature. Take advantage of comfortable accommodation and mobile homes for your campsite in Aydat in April and May.
