Riom-Ès-Montagne: Trails and Regional Specialties

Riom-Ès-Montagne lies at an altitude of 840 m in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne. Walks, different types of routes, and culinary events featuring regional specialties offer a range of ways to enjoy a stay. Depending on your interests, you can combine trails and nature experiences with seasonal offerings.

Walks, circular trails, and notable routes

The “Axe Vert” is a 1,960 m-long, car-free promenade along the Véronne. It is also easily accessible to people with reduced mobility. You can consider its length, riverside route, and accessibility together when deciding which trail to choose.

The “Balade des Deux Lacs” is a marked 6 km circular trail starting in Riom-ès-Montagnes. In terms of length alone, the loop is just over four kilometres longer than the Axe Vert. The route formats also differ: this is a marked circular trail that returns to the starting point, while the Axe Vert is a promenade along the Véronne. This lets you consider both distance and route type when making your choice.

At Étang de Majonnenc, you can experience a diverse range of wildlife and plant life on a walk. The focus is on observing nature; the lake adds another point of interest to the route options.

The Gentiane Express route is 16 km long and passes two tunnels and three viaducts. This route can therefore be assessed not only by its length, but also by the structures along the way. It offers a different starting point for planning than a promenade, circular trail, or walk by the lake.

Cheese, markets, and Avèze

The Fête du Bleu d’Auvergne has been held every summer in Riom-ès-Montagnes for more than 20 years. Visitors can discover how Bleu d’Auvergne is made and sample its flavours. The festival thus combines a seasonal event with an insight into the cheese’s production and taste.

The Marchés de pays are held on Monday evenings in July and August. They offer regional specialties such as Salers beef, aligot, Auvergne cheeses, and honey. You can eat the food there or take it away. So a visit to the market offers both the chance to eat something on the spot and to take home regional produce.

Espace Avèze offers a permanent visitor trail featuring a video, explanations, and a tasting. It focuses on the history and production of Avèze, a gentian-based drink. The trail combines learning about its origins and production with a tasting, providing a different culinary experience from the festival and market.

The offerings also differ in timing, which is worth considering when planning your trip: the Fête du Bleu d’Auvergne takes place in summer, the Marchés de pays are limited to July and August, while the visitor trail at Espace Avèze is available year-round. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay and want a festival or market to determine your travel dates, check the specific event date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Thiézac, Sansac-Veinazès, Les Ternes, Arches, Beaulieu, Pers, Rézentières, Mauriac.

For the broader travel overview: Cantal.