Europe 1 06:54, August 12, 2022

As in The weekend walks, Vanessa Zha begins her chronicles by taking us on a journey and giving good plans for the summer.

Marion Sauveur focuses on a product every day.

Direction Auvergne, in the chain of Puys, in Terra Volcana, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the opening to the public of the Volcan de Lemptegy.

The Lemptégy volcano is located in Saint-Ours.

It is known by scientists all over the world because it is unique in France, but also in Europe and in the world.

You enter inside the volcano to discover its complete anatomy, on foot or by small electric train.

When you arrive you are in an open pit, a gigantic cavity of 10 hectares, and there you are not on the crater but in the crater.

Philippe Montel who manages the site reveals the effect that the discovery has on everyone.

These chimneys, you have to imagine that you are only on their head, they are 12 to 15 kilometers deep. 

We live a kind of "The journey to the center of the earth" by Jules verne but in Auvergne.

Lemptegy was known by scientists around the world because it has already made it possible to understand the mechanical system of the Puys chain, but also to establish similarities with lunar eruptions and to begin research on the volcanoes of Mars.

And this volcano has also been exploited by men, apart from research, for its stones.

They made it possible to rebuild a lot of French cities after the Second World War.

Once you have mastered the Volcanoes from A to Z, what do you propose to do in this northern part of the Chaine des Puys?

The Chaine des Puys-Faille de Limagne was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site four years ago.

There is the waterfall trail, the Enval gorges, which start from Enval and follow the Ambène stream.

Waterfalls very frequented by Georges Sand and Maupassant.

About ten kilometres, with two beautiful viewpoints over the town of Riom and the medieval castle of Tournoël, which was the site of quarrels between the great families of Auvergne.

It is located on the Puy de la Banner, and from there you can take the path that leads you to Notre Dame de la Garde, this monumental statue which overlooks Volvic from the 19th century with a direct view of the Puy de Dôme, the better known.

A hosting address?

Roses and Towers in Saint Genès du Retz.

Guest rooms in a 14th century castle, a fortified house with treasures such as a sun and moon dial from 1540 J. 85 euros breakfast included.