Clermont Ferrand

[Alex_374296729]

Just looking at the map, has anyone any thoughts about Clermont Ferrand. Things to do/see. Should we bother?

Thank you

Alex

 

[ValA.]

Not with the city itself - it's not one of the best in France, being an old industrial town, but is surrounded by some dramatic scenery. The Parc des Volcans has some extinct volcanoes, and the Puy de Dome is the biggest of these. Mont D'Ore is also worth a visit. The Auvergne area is lovely - and quite untouristy (but can be cold at night, be warned).

Vichy, to the other side, is a spa town, popular with tourists, and set in less dramatic scenery, but still very pleasant.

If you're looking for just an overnight stop then there are loads of budget hotels right alongside the autoroute - there are campsites to the north and south - but I'm not sure about Clermond Ferrand itself.

 

[Alex_374296729]

Thank you for that Val.

I have looked at the campsites in the area from your information and there seems to be a CC site at Royat. May give that a go, unless you have any other thoughts.

Alex

 

[ValA.]

We haven't stayed at Royat - I think it's a new site to the Camping Cheque network, but we may pay it a visit soon, as it's just in the area we tend to stop overnight. There used to be a CC site at Parentignac, 'La Grange Fort', just south of Clermont Ferrand, and we used that a few times - but it's now become 'Touring Cheques' or ACSI instead. We've also stayed in the municipal at Issoire, or just a bit further north at St Pourcain sur Sioule (which we also stayed at several times) or Chatel de Neuvre (campsite sign has a frog advertising it, but can't remember the name today, sorry). We chose these sites because they are all really near to the autoroute (or the main road in the case of St Pourcain or Chatel de Neuvre)and very easy to find.

Some friends of ours stayed at Camping de la Filature at Ebreuil - and liked it there, but we haven't stayed there ourselves. Other people recomment the site Clos d'Auroy at Orcet (at least I think that's the one).

Recently we've taken to stopping a bit earlier in the day, staying at Camping de Nevers a bit further north again. We're off again in four weeks, and haven't yet even begun to think where we might be heading!

 

[Clubman1]

Oh dear! Val A has given the game away and now evrybody will be hoing in on Camping La Filature at Ebreuil, exit autoroute at sign for Gannet and follow signs for site. This is really a little gem situated on the banks of the River Sioule. The pitches are in an orchard but there is also pitches in the open. Nightingales serenade you in the evening and peacocks wake you at dawn(ish0 and then come and visit your unit to make sure that you are up. Bar and take away food to die for. Need I go on.....but please don't tell too many people!!