The arrival of spring is the right time to vary issues up, broaden your horizons, and discover close by areas in a brand new gentle—the place spectacular pure surroundings and cultural discoveries come collectively. Uncover two getaways, every revealing a distinct aspect of the area: the volcanoes of Auvergne and Valence.
The Volcanoes of Auvergne: An Journey Proper on the Earth’s Core!
It’s unattainable to stay detached to the rugged panorama of the Chaîne des Puys. Right here, each hill tells the story of a previous eruption, and each path winds by way of hundreds of thousands of years of historical past.
Dive right into a life-size volcano
How a few journey to the Earth’s core? On the Lemptégy Volcano, you actually step into the center of a volcano… the expertise is as spectacular as it’s academic: within the open air, the location reveals its internal workings and provides a tangible glimpse of the geological forces which have formed all the area.
The tour, which lasts about 2.5 hours, provides a actually immersive expertise. It begins with a enjoyable introduction to the location’s historical past, earlier than steadily descending into its depths, previous solidified lava flows, volcanic vents, and landscapes sculpted by the Earth’s fireplace. Whether or not on a guided tour or by prepare, you’ll traverse a rugged and spectacular panorama, all the best way to the remnants of its industrial previous, the place previous equipment tells the story of one other period on the website.
The expertise then takes on a extra sensory dimension with sights such because the Volcan Specific and a 4D movie that takes you again to the second the Chaîne des Puys was fashioned. Every little thing is designed to provide the impression of touring by way of time and house.
And to increase the expertise, you’ll be able to sit down for a meal that includes native specialties or browse the reward store. In the summertime, the location takes on a complete new ambiance with the nighttime tour “Le Réveil du Volcan” (The Volcano’s Awakening), an virtually dreamlike expertise on the coronary heart of a volcano that appears to be coming again to life.
An evening within the coronary heart of the volcanic panorama
To increase the expertise, the Lemptégy Lodges provide the possibility to sleep on the slopes of the location, with an distinctive view of the inside of the Lemptégy Volcano. These distinctive lodging invite you to breathe deeply and reconnect with the encompassing nature.
Discover the world differently
The getaway can proceed with extra discoveries:
- The Volvic Stone Cave, the place guests can delve into the historical past of volcanic stone by way of a specifically designed exhibition.
- Archipel Volcans, a welcoming guesthouse, excellent for exploring the area in an eco-friendly means.
“Partir ici”: Journey to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
For a getaway with out touring far, take a look at Partir Ici for concepts on native explorations and sustainable journey.
Valence: A Cultural Getaway Alongside the Rhône
A change of ambiance in Valence. Right here, volcanic rock provides approach to a relaxed lifestyle that invitations contemplation. Valence is now a part of the Community of Cities and Areas of Artwork and Historical past, and town charms guests with its wealthy heritage and vibrant cultural scene. With its charming slender streets, vigorous terraces, and iconic establishments just like the Valence Museum, it provides the right getaway to mix inventive discovery with leisurely strolls.
An artwork and archaeology museum
The Valence Museum, housed in a constructing steeped in historical past, options collections spanning the ages.
Its collections, comprising greater than 20,000 works, hint the historical past of humanity and the humanities, from prehistory to up to date artwork. The exhibition combines archaeology (from the earliest settlements within the Drôme area to newer intervals) and the visible arts, with a specific give attention to panorama.
By means of June 21, 2026, the Musée de Valence provides a deep dive into the world of two main figures of the 18th century, Hubert Robert and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, by way of almost 80 works introduced collectively within the exhibition “Le sentiment de la nature”.
Right here, the panorama turns into way more than only a backdrop: it involves life. Ruins bathed in gentle, imaginary gardens, scenes of on a regular basis life… the works invite you to step right into a delicate, typically theatrical, and all the time vibrant pure world.
Skilled collectively in Rome, Hubert Robert and Fragonard every developed their very own inventive imaginative and prescient: one explored the evocative energy of ruins and structure, whereas the opposite captured the spontaneity of life and the fleeting nature of moments. These two sensibilities complement one another and are available collectively in a shared imaginative and prescient: that of a world the place nature turns into an expertise.
The exhibition invitations guests on a journey by way of the 18th century, the place we start to view the panorama in a brand new gentle—with higher depth, freedom, and sensory consciousness. One lesson resonates notably strongly in the present day, at a time when our relationship with nature is being questioned greater than ever.
March 7–June 21, 2026
4 Place des Ormeaux, 26000 Valence
Strolling by way of an inspiring metropolis
There’s extra to Valencia than simply museums:
- walks alongside the Rhône
- charming alleyways
- culinary breaks with a southern aptitude
A really perfect vacation spot to decelerate and benefit from the peaceable environment of its gardens and the canals that wind by way of it.
Uncover extra getaway concepts with 12:12
Each Thursday at 12:12 p.m., uncover new concepts for straightforward getaways in Auvergne. With this intelligent idea, take a spontaneous journey for an inspiring and extra sustainable getaway—proof that each one it takes is a couple of hours to actually unwind.
Get pleasure from your keep in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes!
