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Vulcans Roundtrip from Blesle
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Jan Koelstra (jan cabrio)
Last edit: 18-11-2024
Route Summary
This circuit takes you right through the Monts du Cézallier and the Monts du Cantal, areas that were once volcanically active. You ride up the slopes of dormant volcanoes, past round crater lakes and past bizarre lava concretions.
The trip starts and ends in Blesle in the heart of the regional park "Volcans d'Auvergne".

The roads wind their way along the slopes with fantastic views of the volcanic cones and then through the rolling hills through picturesque villages, built from the lava rock. In this area there are also castles, fortresses and medieval fortifications that make the variety even greater. That is why this tour gets a five star rating.
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Verdict
Duration
9h 1m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
298.12 km
Countries
les Monts du Cézallier
RouteXpert Review
The park of the volcanoes, that is what the name Parc des Volcans means. This was once one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. The volcanoes have now died out, but the sharp peaks and hills are still there. This is a wonderfully rugged area here in the Cantal, which you can explore yourself. The Cantal is one of the four departments of the centrally located French region of Auvergne. During your tour you will mainly find yourself in parts of the Monts du Cézallier and the Monts du Cantal. This department also has more than enough to offer in terms of culture and history.

And to start with that culture and history: in the Cantal you discover the France of the past. The department has more than enough villages that are more than worth a visit. Think for example of the medieval Salers, with its Saint Mathieu church and many buildings of black lava stone. Or Saint-Flour, situated between two volcanoes, which used to be an important place because of its favourable location on various trade routes. You should also not miss Aurillac. The former capital of Haute-Auvergne is a series of surprises.

The route starts in Blesle where the solidified lava was mined as building material and runs mainly through the regional nature park Volcans d'Auvergne. The history of the village begins in the 9th century with the foundation of a Benedictine abbey. It is a very beautiful old village, one of the most beautiful villages in France. The many winegrowers' houses, half-timbered houses with cantilevers, lintels with pediments are particularly striking in this medieval village, which originated in the thirteenth century. A very beautiful church with many treasures, the donjon des Mercoeur that dominates the village, a small headdress museum, a very nice little hotel and a craft brewery that offers very good beers.
Just outside the village you will pass a petrol station on the road to Saint-Flour.

Above the river Ander rises a basalt plateau, on which the houses of Saint-Flour are lined up. In between, in a medieval district, stands the cathedral Saint-Pierre, a Gothic oddity, because the Gothic style hardly ever gained acceptance in Auvergne. Near the cathedral, the bishop's palace has been rebuilt. Here, the beautiful furniture from the region attracts attention. Next to the cathedral is a museum with tapestries and enamels.
You leave Saint-Flour northwest to the village of Le Sailhant, where the impressive Château du Sailhant is well worth a visit.

After Le Sailhant and Coltines you come to Murat for coffee and the city centre.
The roofs of Murat are covered with slate. The village is separated from the volcanic peak of Plomb du Cantal by a forest. Around the craft centre, nature rules and this is evidenced by the otter, which can be found in the water of the many streams. The local Maison de la Fauna, which exhibits a large collection of animals, birds and butterflies, also bears witness to this nature. The coffee is ready in Murat.

Between Murat and Aurillac, the D680 winds around the Puy Mary through the volcanic massif of the Cantal. At the Pas de Peyrol, a short climb (30 min. walk) is enough to ensure one of France's most expansive views from the Puy Mary. All the major peaks are listed on an orientation table. In clear weather, your view extends 340 km to Mont Blanc.

Aurillac is the shopping centre of the Monts du Cantal. In the north of the city, the castle complex of Saint-Etienne houses a museum that explains the geology of volcanic regions. Of course, the Cantal volcano group is the main focus. The historic centre of Aurillac is worth a visit.

Between Aurillac and Salers you will see a number of castles here and there on the slopes of the Auvergne. Before you reach Salers, you will pass through the village of Tounemire for your lunch stop. Just outside the village is the high, closed castle of Anjony (open in the afternoon). Louis d'Anjony, one of Joan of Arc's companions, built the castle. The keep is an example of the modest 1Sth century mountain fortifications. The castle has remained in the possession of the same family for all those centuries. In the village you can satisfy your hunger with a view of the enormous building.

A large parking lot just before the village indicates that SaIers looks too beautiful to fill it with tin. The granite town also has picturesque buildings between the volcanic cones of the Monts du Cantal. The church at the parking lot houses a 1st century burial of high quality. Around the Grand Place and the fanning out streets are numerous Renaissance buildings. Some can be visited, such as the Maison du Baillage, with its two corner towers. SaIers' townscape was created during the turbulent war times of the Hundred Years' War, when people preferred to live in fortified 'posh' homes. Trade ensured that many citizens were able to have such fortified luxurious homes built.

Small 'burons' (sheds) are scattered at the foot of a once enormous volcano, which now lies peaceful. Some twenty million years ago, the volcano exploded so violently that it is still not certain where the core of this giant was located. What is certain is that it is not to be found at the relatively low-lying Riom-ès Montagnes, a cheese village with a cattle market. When you enter the Maison de la Gentiane, you are initiated into the world of medicinal plants that thrive in the volcanic soil, such as the gentian. This is harvested for its roots. The town has a remarkable 11th-century church with a later added bell tower.

You leave Riom in an easterly direction into the Monts du Cézallier. Via Lugarde where you can make a break for a train ride on the Gentiana Express or a ride on the Vélorail du Cézallier towards Saint Saturnin.
Further along in Feniers, you will find a former Cistercian monastery, founded in the 12th century. The Abbey of Feniers de Condat, in Cantal, is now in ruins. Listed as a historical monument, it was completely rebuilt at the end of the 17th century after a fire, before being destroyed again and used as a quarry for the neighbouring houses. Originally, the Abbey of Feniers consisted of a church with columns with capitals supporting Romanesque vaults. The buildings consisted of a façade and two parallel wings surrounding a square tower.

Through the Monts du Cézallier, the route heads back to Blesle. The views and natural beauty are the main features here. You will also see burons scattered around the country to shelter from bad weather. In Blesle, it is nice to have a drink afterwards in the Bistrot de le Tour or at Bougnate.



Blesle
Château d'Anjony in Tournemire
Links
about Blesle
about the mounts of Cezallier
about the puy Mary
abou Aurillac
the Auvergne
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.

Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.

Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes
Auvergne Rhone Alpes
About this region
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (ARA; French: [ovɛʁɲ ʁon‿alp] (listen); Arpitan: Ôvèrgne-Rôno-Ârpes; Occitan: Auvèrnhe Ròse Aups; Italian: Alvernia-Rodano-Alpi) is a region in southeast-central France created by the 2014 territorial reform of French regions; it resulted from the merger of Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes. The new region came into effect on 1 January 2016, after the regional elections in December 2015.The region covers an area of 69,711 km2 (26,916 sq mi), making it the third largest in metropolitan France; it had a population of 7,948,287 in 2017, second to Île-de-France. It consists of twelve departments and one territorial collectivity (Lyon Metropolis) with Lyon as the prefecture.
This new region combines diverse geographical, sociological, economic and cultural regions, which was already true of Rhône-Alpes, as well as Auvergne, to a lesser extent. While the old Rhône-Alpes and Auvergne regions each enjoyed a unity defined by axes of communication and the pull of their respective metropoles, the new combination is heterogeneous; it sustained lively opposition from some local officials after its creation.
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Route Collections in this region
The 24 Most Beautiful Alpine Routes
The Alps, The Alps are a mountain range in Europe, stretching from the French Mediterranean coast in the southwest to the Pannonian Plain in the east. The area of the mountain range is more than 200,000 km².

In other words Passes and Mountain Roads!

Driving through the mountains is great! Especially over the mountain passes with hairpin bends and narrow winding roads. Every bend a different view where you can enjoy. There are many beautiful mountain passes in the Alps.

A selection that has also been incorporated into these routes:
The Stlevio Pass:
The Stelvio Pass, also known as Passo dello Stelvio, is mainly known for the stage in the Giro d'Italia. Due to the length and the difference in height, this pass is seen as one of the toughest tests in cycling. The Stelvio Pass reaches a maximum height of 2758 meters and is therefore one of the highest in the Alps. The pass connects the towns of Bormio and Prato Allo Stelvio. In winter the pass is closed due to heavy snowfall.

The Reschenpass:
The Reschenpass, also known as Passo di Resia, connects the Austrian state of Tyrol with the Italian province of South Tyrol. The pass reaches a maximum height of 1,504 meters and has been one of the most important north-south connections in the Alps in recent centuries. The pass was used long before Roman times. Along the way you will pass several highlights and historical relics. One of the highlights is the Reschensee. This lake was created after the construction of the dam and has completely submerged the village of Graun. The only thing that reminds of that is the clock tower in the middle of the lake.

Col du Galibier:
The French mountain pass Col du Galibier connects the towns of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and Briançon via the Col du Lautaret in the south and the Col du Télégraphe in the north. The mountain pass is part of the Tour de France and very much feared, due to the fact that it can only be reached via the other two mountain passes. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2646 meters. From there you can take a walk to the viewpoint at 2704 meters. You can admire the peaks of the Grand Galibier, Mont Blanc and La Meije here.

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road:
With a height of 3798 meters the Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria. To fully enjoy this impressive mountain, you can drive over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the accompanying pass. The route starts from Bruck am Grossglockner and ends in Heiligenblut. Of course you can drive in two directions. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2504 meters and is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. Along the way you pass several stops with fun activities, information points, mountain huts and viewpoints. A visit to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and Pasterzen Glacier is highly recommended.

The Col d'Izoard:
Just like the Col du Galibier, the Col d'Izoard is also part of a stage of the Tour de France. The mountain pass connects Briançon with the valley of the river Guil. The pass is partly located in the Regional Natural Park du Queyras and reaches a maximum height of 2360 meters. What is special about the Col d'Izoard is the barren and rocky landscape. Sometimes it feels like driving a car over the moon! Along the way you can stop at several points to enjoy the beautiful view.

The Bernina Pass:
The Bernina Express is one of the most famous rail trains in Switzerland and the Alps. The route is beautiful and partly included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Parallel to the railway lies the Bernina pass, which connects the Veltlin valley with the Egandin valley. This beautiful Alpine road has a total length of 56 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2328 meters. Along the way you can enjoy views of the Morteratsch Glacier.

The Sella Pass:
The Sella Pass, also known as Passo di Sella, takes you over one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Dolomites: the Sella massif. The pass connects Valle di Fassa with Val Gardena and reaches a maximum height of 2236 meters. At this height is also the border of the Italian provinces of Trentino and Bolzano. Along the way you can enjoy the view of this spectacular mountain world. Admire, for example, the three peaks of the Sasso Lungo massif, the Sella massif or the peaks of the Marmolada. You can also drive the Sella pass in combination with the Gardena pass, Pordoi pass and Campolongo pass.

The Grimsel Pass:
The Grimsel Pass connects Goms in Wallis with the Halis Valley in the Bernese Oberland. The pass reaches a maximum elevation of 2165 meters and is closed in winter due to snowfall. Over the centuries, the mountain pass has played an important role in trade between Switzerland and Italy. Now it is mainly the reservoirs that have an important function. These are used to generate electricity. The landscape you drive through is rugged, rocky and impressive. On top of the pass is a hotel and a restaurant with a special marmot park. The Dodensee (Totensee) is also located here. This lake owes its name to the many soldiers who died in the time of Napoleon.

The Gotthard Pass:
The Gotthard Pass, also known as Passo del San Gottardo and Saint Gotthard, connects the Swiss towns of Airolo and Andermatt. The mountain pass and associated tunnel are especially known among holidaymakers driving from Switzerland to Italy. But where the majority opt for the tunnel, it is precisely the pass that really completes the holiday. The Gotthard Pass has a length of about 26 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2106 meters. The route is beautiful and takes you along old villages and beautiful views.

The Silvretta High Alpine Road and Silvretta Pass:
The Paznaun Valley in Tyrol and the Montafon in Vorarlberg are connected by the Silvretta High Alpine Road. The route has a length of 22.3 kilometers and leads from Galtür to Partenen in 34 hairpin bends, via the 2032 meter high Bielerhöhe. The Silvrettasee is also located at this point, where you can enjoy a lovely walk. The pass is closed in winter due to snowfall.

The Simplon Pass:
Just like the Gotthard Pass, many holidaymakers also travel over the Simplon Pass every year. This mountain pass connects the Rhone Valley in the canton of Valais with the Valle d'Ossola in Piemonte. The pass is open all year round and reaches a maximum height of 2005 meters. Along the way you pass a number of buildings, including the well-known Simplon Hospiz from 1825. The hospiz is managed by the monks of St. Bernard. From the highest point on the pass, all kinds of hiking routes are possible and you will also come across a hotel where you can spend the night.

The Gerlos Pass:
The Gerlos Pass connects the Salzach Valley in the Salzburgerland with the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol. The pass is part of the Gerlos Alpenstraße and runs right through the Hohe Tauern National Park. Along the way you can enjoy beautiful views of the surroundings. The pass has a length of 12 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 1531 meters. A ride over the Gerlos Pass can be ideally combined with a visit to the Krimmler Wasserfälle.

The Great St. Bernard Pass:
The Great St. Bernard Pass, better known as Col du Grand Saint Bernard, connects the Italian province of Valle d'Aosta with the Swiss canton of Valais. The pass is one of the highest in Switzerland and reaches a maximum height of 2469 meters. Like a number of other mountain passes in this list, the Great St. Bernard Pass has also been used as a connecting road for centuries. The pass is named after the St. Bernard dogs that used to help stranded travelers along with the monks. The pass is closed in winter.

The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road:
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road connects the towns of Sölden in the Ötztal and Meran in South Tyrol. Tolls must be paid on the Hochgurgl - Moos route. Via a mountain road with about 60 hairpin bends you drive through a beautiful mountain world. With the Timmelsjoch Experience you can learn more about the history, the road and the environment via various stations. You can also visit the Top Mountain Crosspoint museum.

Col de l'Iseran:
With a maximum pass height of 2770 meters, the Col l'Iséran is one of the highest mountain passes in the Alps. The pass connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice with Bonneval-sur-Arc. Via a road full of hairpin bends you pass, among other things, Val-d'Isère and a side valley of the Maurienne that lies entirely in the National Park de la Vanoise. You can spot animals such as marmots and chamois and there is also a restaurant with a chapel on top of the pass.

The Gavia Pass:
The Gavia Pass (Italian Passo di Gavia) is a mountain pass in the Italian Alps, in the Lombardy region.
It is one of the highest pass roads in Europe. The road leads through the unspoilt Stelvio National Park. The road was built in the First World War to supply Italian soldiers who fought in the Italian-Austrian border area. The pass height is one of the most beautiful in the Alps. Here is the large Lago Bianco with, to the north, the mountain San Matteo (3684 meters). Lago Nero is slightly lower on the south side of the pass. Here the mountain group of the Adamello determines the view. There are many well-marked walks in the area. During the winter the pass is closed due to the heavy snowfall. The pass is often closed until May and June due to the large amount of snow.


Promoter has made a selection of the 24 Most Beautiful Alpine routes that they have set out in recent years.

The routes go through:
France
Austria
Switzerland
Italy

The most beautiful roads, the most beautiful views, the most beautiful viewpoints. The highest mountains, the fastest descents, hairpin bend after hairpin bend, you name it you can't get enough of it.

If you go on holiday in this region, take advantage of it, ALL routes in this collection have been checked and made equal for TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation by a MyRoute-app RouteXpert.

Have fun with this collection and while driving one of these routes. Enjoy all the beauty that the Alps and the Dolomites have to offer. Click on “View route” to read the review of the chosen route.

I would like to hear your findings about the route(s).



View Route Collection
24 Routes
8059.29 km
171h 24m
25 Magnificent trails in France
This MRA route collection contains 25 beautiful motorcycle routes in different parts of France, such as the Ardennes, the Alsace, Vercors, the Drôme, the Ardèche, Cote d'Azure, Gorges du Verdon, the Ariège, the Dordogne and Brittany.

The routes have been carefully created by Bert Loorbach, who is an enthusiastic motorcyclist himself. He lived in France for a year and a half, during which time he devoted himself to mapping the unknown and beautiful back roads of France especially for motorcyclists.

The routes are bundled in the Motortourgids France part 1 of Kosmos publishing house and now also available in MyRouteApp.

I have taken over the routes in MRA and sometimes adjusted them slightly to make them even more interesting for the motorcyclist.

View Route Collection
25 Routes
4107.03 km
106h 12m
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