Le Ranch des Volcans

It’s a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk to the nearest town Châtel-Guyon, famed for its spas; make your day even more stress free by taking the shuttle bus running from the site to the town and the baths several times a day. If you’ve developed a taste for the warm waters, have a second dip over in Royat half an hour away. And, of course there are those volcanoes – Puy-de-Dôme is the biggie, with miles of hiking trails suitable for all the family, and a small train to help on the way with some of the climb. Nearby is Vulcania theme park, with interactive games, exhibitions and workshops for kids of all ages; both of these are around a half-hour drive from the site. The chain of volcanoes in the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park stretches to the south for 40 kilometres, so if you’re a keen hiker, mountain biker or climber you’ve got plenty to choose from, as well as lake swimming, horse riding, watersports and more – pick up leaflets locally or ask on site for details of all your options.