Looking for the perfect campsite in Auvergne? With Campcruisers you can easily find and book your ideal pitch. Discover beats, rhythm and more when you camp in Auvergne.

When you cross the border into Auvergne, everything changes. The air becomes cooler, spicier, and smells of damp earth and pine needles. While package tourists crowd into hotels in coastal towns, up here, in the heart of France, you find a silence interrupted only by the distant tolling of cowbells. Camping in Auvergne means becoming part of a monumental landscape. The Chaine des Puys, a chain of over 80 extinct volcanoes, offers a backdrop that you won't find anywhere else in Europe.

What makes this place so special for campers is the immediacy. You often park your motorhome directly at the foothills of these green giants. The topography is made for road trips: winding roads meander through deep green valleys and lead you to high plateaus reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. Here, it’s not the destination that counts, but the moment you stop on a small D-road because the view of Puy de Sancy is glowing in the evening light.

The best time for your trip is from May to June, when the meadows glow in an almost unreal green, or September, when the autumn colors bathe the forests in gold. However, be honest with yourself: even in high summer, nights in the high altitudes of the Monts du Cantal can get sensitive cold. Your auxiliary heater should therefore be ready for use. In July and August it is busier, but the vastness of the region usually swallows the crowds well, as long as you are not standing directly at Puy de Dôme.

An absolute must is the Puy de Dôme. Since direct access is closed to private vehicles, it is best to park your motorhome in the large parking lot of the Panoramique des Dômes rack railway. Once at the top, you have a 360-degree view over the entire UNESCO World Heritage site. If you prefer something more sporty, leave the van in the valley and hike up via the old mule path – the smell of gorse and the wide views compensate for every drop of sweat.

To cool off, head for Lac d'Aydat. It is the largest natural lake in the region. There are special pitches for campers here, just a stone's throw from the water. In the morning, when the mist still hangs over the lake, the atmosphere is almost magical. Afterward, you should definitely visit the village of Saint-Nectaire. But beware: the alleys in the town center are narrow. It is better to park a bit outside and walk to the Romanesque church. In the local dairies, you can find out how the famous Saint-Nectaire cheese matures in the volcanic cellars.

Culinarically, there is no way around the Truffade. This hearty dish of potatoes and fresh Tomme cheese is the ultimate reward after a long hike. The best tip for gourmets is at the Auberge de la Petite Ferme near Besse: here it still tastes like it did at your grandparents', and you sit in a rustic atmosphere with one of the most authentic truffades in the region.

Excursion Tip 1: The Route of the Sleeping Giants (140 km, approx. 4 hours)

Suitable for: Active couples | Campervan | Difficulty: medium

This tour starts in the north at Volvic, where the famous spring water is naturally filtered through volcanic rock. First, visit the L'Espace Information Volvic information center to understand the geology of the region. From there, drive south on the D986. After about 15 km, you reach the foot of the Puy de Pariou. This volcano has arguably the most beautifully shaped crater in the area. Use the parking lot at Col des Goules to take an approximately two-hour hike. Continue on winding roads to Col de la Croix Morand. The route challenges your brakes but offers spectacular views of the Massif du Sancy. After a total of 60 km of driving, you reach the spa town of Le Mont-Dore. Here you can park your motorhome at the municipal pitch on Avenue de la Libération and take the cable car almost to the summit of Sancy. The return journey takes you through Orcival with its impressive Romanesque basilica. An ideal pitch for the night is Camping Les Volcans in Aydat, which is perfectly integrated into nature.

Excursion Tip 2: Gorges and Medieval Treasures (110 km, approx. 3 hours)

Suitable for: Families & history buffs | Motorhome | Difficulty: easy

Your road trip begins in the town of Brioude, known for the Basilica of Saint-Julien with its modern stained glass windows by artist Kim En Joong. From here, follow the course of the Allier river south. The D585 road takes you deeper into the Gorges de l'Allier. After about 25 km, you reach Lavoûte-Chilhac, a village almost completely enclosed by a loop in the river. There is an easily accessible parking lot on the riverbank, ideal for a picnic or a short canoe trip with the children. The journey continues through narrow rocky passages to Langeac. A stop at the local market is recommended here to buy regional specialties such as the famous green lentils from Le Puy-en-Velay. After a total of 85 km, you finally reach Le Puy-en-Velay. The city, with its chapels perched on volcanic needles, is an architectural marvel. Since the alleys are very steep and narrow, you should use the large d'Aiguilhe parking lot at the foot of the rock. As an overnight stay, Camping du Puy-en-Velay (Bouthezard), located directly on the banks of the Borne river, is recommended.

Campsites: The selection in Auvergne is huge. For families, Camping Le Pré Bas at Lac de Chambon is fantastic, as it combines comfort with a nature experience. If you prefer it more secluded, look for Camping à la ferme – many farms offer simple but beautiful spots for a few motorhomes.

Rules: Wild camping is not welcomed in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne and is strictly forbidden in the core zones. Rangers check regularly, especially in high season. It is better to use the numerous official pitches (Aires de Camping-Car), which are often very affordable or even free.

Supply: You can find water in almost every village at public fountains, but look out for the sign Eau non potable (non-potable water). Large supermarkets such as Intermarché or Super U in larger towns like Riom or Issoire almost always have supply and disposal stations.

Insider Tip: Visit the Cantal region during the cattle drive in May. When the Salers cattle with their enormous horns move to the summer pastures, there is a festival atmosphere in the villages. You can then buy fresh butter and cheese directly from the shepherds in the so-called burons (small stone huts) – a taste experience you will never find in a supermarket.