Volcanoes of the Auvergne by Motorhome

This is where your trip begins. From Stuttgart, you'll head off at an easy pace towards the French border.

A peaceful campsite on the River Ill, just a few kilometres from historic Colmar. A good first overnight stop with shady pitches and the chance to cycle or stroll into the picturesque old town in the evening. It's best not to drive your motorhome into the centre of Colmar — use a bike or the bus instead.

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Before setting off again, it's worth taking a short morning stroll through Colmar's half-timbered lanes with their colourful houses.

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A well-kept town campsite on the edge of Beaune, the heart of Burgundy. From the site, you can walk into the old wine town with its famous Hôtel-Dieu. A pleasant stopover to rest up once more before the Auvergne.

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A final stop in Burgundy before heading into the Auvergne.

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A campsite close to nature on the southern edge of Clermont-Ferrand, ideal as a base for your first trips into the Chaîne des Puys. From here you're quickly at the volcanoes yet still close to the city. A calm starting point to settle into the rhythm of the trip.

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The capital of the Auvergne impresses with its Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built from black volcanic stone, and the Romanesque Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port. Wander through the old town lanes and enjoy the view of the volcanic chain on the horizon. It's best to park your motorhome in a designated car park on the edge of town and take the tram into the centre.

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The Vulcania volcano theme park explains, vividly and with spectacular effects, how the Chaîne des Puys came into being. The large car parks easily accommodate motorhomes. Allow half a day to a full day to enjoy the exhibitions and 3D films at leisure.

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The most striking volcano in the chain offers, from its summit, a wide panoramic view over dozens of crater cones. With your motorhome, you can park at the base station and take the Panoramique des Dômes rack railway up, or hike up the Chemin des Muletiers. At the top stand the remains of a Gallo-Roman temple to Mercury.

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A terraced campsite above the spa town of Royat, surrounded by forest and with views of the volcanoes. A peaceful, natural site from which you can take a pleasant evening walk through the trees. A good location for heading further into the mountains the next day.

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On the way into the Sancy massif, it's worth stopping at Orcival with its Romanesque pilgrimage church built from dark volcanic stone. The small village lies picturesquely in a green valley and invites a short rest. You'll find motorhome parking on the edge of the village.

A centrally located site on the edge of Le Mont-Dore, right at the foot of the Sancy massif and next to the cable car's base station. From here you can easily walk into the spa town and to the hiking trails. An ideal base for the coming days in the mountains.

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At 1885 metres, the Puy de Sancy is the highest peak of the French Massif Central. The cable car takes you a good part of the way up; the final climb is on steps and footpaths. At the top, a vast panorama awaits over the volcanic landscape of the Auvergne.

The almost perfectly round Lac Pavin fills an old volcanic crater and is considered one of the most beautiful crater lakes in the Auvergne. A walk of just under an hour, largely flat, takes you around the shore through the forest. There's motorhome parking at the access point to the lake.

The Puy Mary in the Cantal massif is a remnant of one of the largest volcanoes in Europe. From the Pas de Peyrol, the highest pass in the region, a steep footpath leads to the summit in around 45 minutes, with a wide panoramic view. The drive along the mountain roads is narrow and winding, but manageable for motorhomes if driven calmly.

A small campsite close to nature in the green valley of the Falgoux below the Puy Mary. Here you'll stay peacefully amid meadows and streams, well away from the bustle. An ideal spot to enjoy the quiet of the Cantal mountains.

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The medieval town of Besse charms with its dark lava-stone houses, narrow lanes and remains of the old town fortifications. In the cheese cellars, the well-known Saint-Nectaire and Bleu d'Auvergne mature. A great spot for a leisurely stroll and a tasting.

A peaceful campsite in a green valley with a stream and plenty of space, ideal for winding down after the mountain days. The site is set close to nature and is family-friendly, nestled between meadows and woodland. From here, you can easily reach Murol and Saint-Nectaire the next day.

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The mighty castle sits enthroned on a basalt rock above the village of Murol, offering a wide view over the volcanic landscape. In summer, costumed performances with knights and craftsmen bring the site to life. Motorhomes park at the foot of the castle hill, and the climb up is on foot.

The Romanesque church of Saint-Nectaire is among the finest in the Auvergne, with beautifully carved 12th-century capitals. The village of the same name is also home to the creamy Saint-Nectaire cheese, which you can taste at the surrounding farms. A fitting afternoon of history and indulgence.

Farewell to the Auvergne. From here, you'll set off on the journey back towards Stuttgart.

A spacious campsite on the Saône on the edge of Mâcon, a comfortable stopover on the way back. The site is well equipped and conveniently located for continuing onwards. In the evening, you can take a stroll along the riverbank.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Before the final stage, you can take a short morning stroll along the Saône before heading back to Germany.

The end of your round trip. After twelve days full of volcanoes, hikes and castles, you'll return safely to Stuttgart.