Day 1 to Day 7

Day 1: 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-Dome 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.

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 state 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.

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, as well as its cheese, 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. The laidback mountain village of Besse-en-Chandesse 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: 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.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion. 

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 35 passengers.