Le Mont-Dore: Thermal History and Mountain Landscapes

Le Mont-Dore combines thermal history with volcanic landscapes and challenging trails. If you are looking for a hotel, you can plan your trip around these different highlights: local culture, waterfalls and viewpoints, or longer trails around Sancy.

Thermal History and Culture

The Etablissement thermal du Mont-Dore was built between 1817 and 1823 on the site of Roman baths. The building is in the Neo-Byzantine style and features paintings and polychrome mosaics, some of which date from the 19th century. Excavated Gallo-Roman remains are also part of the site. The baths are partly protected as historic monuments of France.

The Parc thermal also brings history and landscape together. The young Dordogne River runs through the park, with a landscaped walking path along its banks. Remains of the former Roman Pantheon are preserved at the entrance. The themed walk “Le Mont-Dore, ville thermale” explores the town’s thermal heritage. At the Musée Joseph Forêt, you can see archives and objects from Joseph Foret’s personal collection.

Volcanic Landscapes and Waterfalls

Puy de Sancy is a volcano and stratovolcano, as well as the highest volcano in European France. At 1,885 metres, it is the highest point of the Monts-Dore massif; it lies in Auvergne, in the Puy-de-Dôme département. The Grande Cascade is another striking feature of the landscape: at 32 metres high, it is the tallest waterfall in Auvergne. From the plateau above, views stretch across the Haute Dordogne valley to Puy de Sancy.

The “Les crêtes du Sancy” route leads via steps and a footbridge to the base of the Grande Cascade. The Cascade du Queureuilh offers another waterfall scene, plunging more than 20 metres over basalt columns. La Dure-Bise passes the source of the Dordogne and then climbs to subalpine heathland. Here, water, volcanic rock and open highland terrain form a varied landscape.

Plan Hikes by Time and Elevation Gain

La Dure-Bise is a difficult circular hike in Mont-Dore: it is 10.8 kilometres long, takes about two hours and includes 586 metres of ascent and 587 metres of descent. The equally difficult hike starting in the village of Mont-Dore is considerably longer, at 17 kilometres and about six hours, and involves 1,050 metres of elevation gain. It passes the Grande Cascade, climbs Puy de Sancy and returns to Mont-Dore via Salon du Capucin, following the GR4 and GR30 long-distance trails.

The hikes therefore have different time and elevation profiles: La Dure-Bise is shorter, while the circular route via Puy de Sancy covers more distance and includes more climbing. Conditions on La Dure-Bise may change; conditions and seasonal access on the route via the Grande Cascade may also vary. Check these details before your hike.

More Activities at Capucin

The Funiculaire du Capucin was built in 1898, is protected as a historic monument and is considered France’s oldest electric funicular. The cable-operated railway travels at one metre per second. The Mont-Dore ski slopes are on the north side of Sancy, at elevations between 1,200 and 1,850 metres.

Pic du Capucin is a basalt dome with climbing and via ferrata routes that can be used from April to October. The climbing area at Capucin faces east or northwest and has 74 routes. They are 15 to 80 metres long, have one to three pitches and range in difficulty from 4a to 8a+. For families and children aged three and over, Mont-Dore Aventures offers self-guided high ropes and treetop courses. The activity takes about two hours and includes 120 challenges; availability is seasonal.

Discover more destinations: Avèze, Usson, Ennezat, Châteaugay, Fournols, Saint-Victor-Montvianeix, Bongheat, Ceilloux.

For the overview of the wider region: Puy-De-Dôme.