Page 161 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 14: Volcanoes of the Auvergne 159

The path now goes around the
sum mit of the Puy de Dôme on
which stands a meterological
observatory 2. The site is scientifically
symbolic, as it was here, in 1648,
that polymath Blaise Pascal sent
his brother-in-law to take measure-
ments to prove how atmos pheric
pressure changed with altitude.
A television mast 3 next to the
observatory adds 89 m (292 ft) to
the natural height of the mountain
(1,465 m/4,806 ft). Above left Salers cow in lush Auvergne
The last view from the summit, to right onto the D983 and look for signs pastures Above right Romanesque chapel in
the east, is over Clermont-Ferrand, for Col de Guéry. Chambon-sur-Lac
with its black-stone cathedral stand-
ing proud. A little ahead are the 3 Col de Guéry
excavated ruins of the Gallo-Roman Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne; 63240
Temple de Mercure 4, which was From the Col de Guéry there is a
built in the early 2nd century AD. stunning view of two volcanic out-
On 7 March 1911, aviator Eugène crops. The Roche Tuilière, on the left,
Renaux made history by landing a is composed of trachyte columns from
plane on top of the Puy de Dôme the chimney of a ruined volcano.
after flying for 5 hours from Paris. The Roche Sanadoire, on the right,
He did it in response to a chal lenge is the remnant of a volcanic cone.
by the Michelin brothers, tyre A castle stood on its summit until
manufac turers of Clermont-Ferrand. destroyed by an earthquake in 1477.
From the temple, retrace the route ª Continue on the D983 along the
on the Chemin de Ronde. woods beside the Lac de Guéry. Turn
ª Retrace the route to the D942 left at the next junction onto the D996
and turn right for Mont-Dore. Take passing Chambon-sur-Lac, with its
the third exit at the roundabout Romanesque chapel, on the left. At
onto the D216, then the D27 for Murol, turn right onto the D5 follow-
Orcival. At the next junction, turn ing signs for Besse.

ACTIVITIES IN THE AUVERGNE
Hiking and hang-gliding
www.auvergne-tourisme.info
CHEMIN DE RONDE
Television
Mast
WHERE TO EAT
Meteorological
Observatory
PUY DE DÔME
Le 1911 expensive
Temple de This gastronomic restaurant’s name
Mercure
refers to the date of Renaux’s flying
CHEMIN DE RONDE feat. Offers great views on top of the
Puy de Dôme, and classic French cuisine.
CHEMIN DE RONDE
Orcines, 63870; 04 73 87 43 02; open
daily, lunch (lunch & dinner Jul–Aug)
Train Station
Visitor Centre AROUND COL DE GUÉRY
Nôtre Dame inexpensive–moderate
CHEMIN DES MULETIERS 0 metres 100 This is a simple place to eat in Orcival,
9 km (6 miles) north of Col de Guéry.
myrtille (bilberry pie) for dessert.
0 yards 100 Specialities include trout and tarte de
Orcival, 63210; 04 73 65 82 02; open
daily; closed Jan & Dec
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40