La Vallée de Chaudefour dans le Sancy avec la Chaîne des Puys Faille de Limagne en arrière-plan

Natural Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes

La Vallée de Chaudefour dans le Sancy avec la Chaîne des Puys Faille de Limagne en arrière-plan

Situated at the heart of the Regional Nature Park of Auvergne Volcanoes, the Massif du Sancy is offering a wonderful volcanic and unique landscape in France and a remarkable biodiversity

Understand the Volcano Park territory

The largest and one of the oldest natural parks in France, the goal of the Auvergne Volcanoes park is the protection and promotion of the vast inhabited rural areas, with an approach centred on sustainable development for today and the future.

It stretches over 2 departments (Puy-de-Dôme and Cantal) and includes 4 volcanic ranges: Chaîne des Puys (Puy de Dôme, 1465m), Monts Dore (Puy de Sancy, 1886m), Cézallier (Signal du Luguet, 1551m) and Monts du Cantal (Plomb du Cantal, 1855m).

Pratique

The Regional Nature Park of Auvergne Volcanoes House is open to the public from April to September: information, exhibition, shop... on the town of Aydat near the Puys de La Vache and Lassolas.

The Salt Fountain in Chasteix-Sancy Nature Reserve

The Salt Fountain in Chasteix-Sancy Nature Reserve

Carte du Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

Carte du Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

The Salt Fountain in Chasteix-Sancy Nature Reserve

The Salt Fountain in Chasteix-Sancy Nature Reserve

Of the five National Nature Reserves of the Volcano Park, three are in the Sancy Massif:

Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve 

Chaudefour Valley Nature Reserve 

Sagnes Godivelle Nature Reserve

Lac d'en bas in The Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve

Lac d'en bas in The Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve

A wildlife

The Massif du Sancy counts numerous animal species too; most of them have been placed here. We can see mouflons, during winter or at the start of spring, chamois, groundhogs or deer.

Waters are also the perfect place for wild species such as fishes or otters.

Finally, birds are taking advantages of the fresh air and vegetation to live and nation the Sancy’s sky: nozzles, falcons, eagles, kites, black ravens, barn owls, long-eared owls and the very rare rock thrushes.

Marmot in Chaudefour Valley

Marmot in Chaudefour Valley

Apollo Butterfly in Chaudefour Valley National Nature Reserve

Apollo Butterfly in Chaudefour Valley National Nature Reserve

Marmot in Chaudefour Valley

Marmot in Chaudefour Valley

A rich and fragile flora

Nature lovers, you will love the Massif du Sancy! The floral periods are succeeding from March to October, with rich and various colors that changes a bit every day the landscapes. We can for example see :

  • the white period : butterburs, aquatic ranunculus, cardamines
  • the pink period : Silene Dioica, Button Flowers, Knotweed
  • the yellow period : gentians, dandelion, daffodils

A mountain land, with Alpine and Pyrenean plant origins is living the Sancy pastures at 1500 meters altitude (alpine soldanella, Sulphur anemone, Alps forget-me-not). Pastures shelter poppies, lilies, geraniums and February Daphne.

Beautiful gentian plants

Beautiful gentian plants