Escorted Tours
Auvergne by Rail – The Secret Heart of France
Join us as we travel to Auvergne by Rail for a slower look at rural France, volcanic landscapes and Romanesque churches. Based in Issoire, the tour includes Puy-de-Dôme, Clermont-Ferrand, Le Puy-en-Velay and Vichy.
This is a tour for travellers who enjoy provincial France at an unhurried pace, with time to appreciate places that remain relatively untouched by modern tourism.
Our base is a charming family-run hotel in Issoire, where its famous market day gives a flavour of local life. Regional food and wine add to the sense of place, including the Puy lentils for which the area is known.
what’s included
At A Glance
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Journey by Rail to Auvergne
Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris and onwards to Clermont-Ferrand by SNCF fast train. On arrival, transfer by coach to Issoire (approx. 30 mins) and the Le Pariou Hotel. Welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Full day tour to Montpeyroux, Puy-de-Dôme and Clermont-Ferrand
One of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”, the small village of Montpeyroux perches on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding picturesque valleys. Stroll the old streets and visit the 12th-century St Pierre’s church. The summit of Puy-de-Dome gives the most wonderful views of the surrounding region.
Take the Panoramique des Dômes rack railway up to the top, follow the path, formerly a Roman road, and the whole of the Auvergne will open up before you. Clermont-Ferrand, the regional capital, sits in the midst of wooded volcanoes. Once a solely industrial city, today Clermont-Ferrand is a vibrant city with a big café culture and plenty of boutiques and galleries.
Please note: Montpeyroux is a hilltop village and involves a steep walk of approx. 10mins to the summit, with places to rest on the way. Puy de Dome is reached by rack railway, and the summit involves a circular walk of about 45 minutes. It is undulating with one section involving a number of steps.
Day 3: Full day to relax and explore Issoire at your leisure
A small, tranquil and attractive town, Issoire’s turbulent history stretches back to Roman times. Boasting an outstanding 12th-century abbey church – St-Aistremoine, with excellent frescoes, today you can also visit the lively market in the town’s medieval core where you’ll find lots of delicious local produce and plenty of ideas for lunch!
Day 4: Full day tour to Le Puy-en-Velay and Brioude
Le Puy-en-Velay is one of the most extraordinary towns in France. Set in a broad valley surrounded by ancient volcanoes, the terracotta roofs of the town are watched over by three religious landmarks perched on top of natural volcanic pillars – the Romanesque cathedral, Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel and a statue of the Virgin Mary.
The starting point of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage, Le Puy is also known for its lace and lentils. A small bustling town situated on a terrace overlooking the lush Allier plain, Brioude is famed for its church, the Basilique St-Julien, the largest Romanesque church in the Auvergne, dating from 1060.
Please note: This tour has been graded as demanding due to visits to hilltop towns and attractions. The most challenging part of this tour is the visit to Le Puy en Velay. To reach the cathedral, there are more than 150 steps or steep streets.
Passengers can choose how much or little walking they wish to do, setting their own pace. Those who do not wish to walk the more demanding sections can stay below and explore the lower part of the towns and enjoy the views. At Le Puy en Velay, there is a land train to the cathedral.
Day 5: Full day tour to Orcival, Saint-Nectaire, Besse-en-Chandesse and Le Mont-Dore
The pretty town of Orcival is dominated by its early 12th century Basilica, said to be one of the best in the region. Also noted for its Romanesque church is Saint-Nectaire. Within the church you will find some wonderful examples of 12th-century workmanship – a gold bust of St Baudime and a wooden Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Cornadore. We then head to the laidback mountain village of Besse-en-Chandesse, which is made up of quaint cobbled lanes and lava-stone brick cottages and therefore the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.
The former spa town of Le Mont-Dore sits close to the source of the Dordogne River at the foot of the region’s highest mountain. The thermal springs here were known to the Romans but were particularly busy in the 19th century.
Day 6: Full day tour to Vichy and Thiers
The town of Vichy was a well-known spa and resort centre before it became the head of the French state during the Nazi occupation of World War II. The town’s turn-of-the-century spa buildings and parks are now protected as part of France’s architectural heritage.
Thiers sits on a steep hillside of the Durolle river valley, splitting it into a high and low town and has a wealth of wonderfully preserved half-timbered houses in the old quarter of the high town. The town is famed as a centre for the manufacture of cutlery.
Day 7: Return by SNCF and Eurostar
Transfer back to Clermont-Ferrand station to catch the return SNCF fast train to Paris. At Paris, board the return Eurostar service to St Pancras.
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Le Pariou Hotel, Issoire
Hotel le Pariou is a charming three-star hotel located just 20 minutes south of Clermont-Ferrand in Issoire. The hotel offers air-conditioned, comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV, telephone, minibar and hairdryer. The hotel also has a bar, lounge area, sun terrace, garden and outdoor swimming pool (seasonally heated).
Le Pariou Hotel Website
OUR VIEW ON THE HOTEL
Friendly, family-run hotel in Issoire with the centre of town only a short walk away. Perfect location for a leisurely stroll into town before picking one of the many restaurants for dinner and the ideal base for the sites visited on this tour.
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a demanding fitness rating and is designed for travellers who enjoy a more active pace of exploration. While it is not a walking holiday, you should expect busy days with extended periods on your feet and visits where conditions may be more varied. These may include uneven terrain, cobbled streets, archaeological sites, steep paths, steps, stairs, limited handrails or fewer opportunities to sit and rest.
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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