Attractions and Places To See around Tauves - Top 20

The region around Tauves is rich in natural beauty, offering volcanic peaks, river gorges, and picturesque valleys. You can visit La Banne d'Ordanche, a volcanic remnant at 1,515 meters, providing a spectacular panorama over the Dordogne valley. Another notable volcanic summit is Puy Gros, where you can observe the entire route of the Dordogne between Mont-Dore and La Bourboule. Don't miss the stunning views from the Puy de Cliergue and Hor rock ridge, which offers panoramic vistas into the neighboring valleys. The Dordogne Valley and Gorges, the Plateau de Tauves with its bocage landscapes, and the impressive Cascade des Essarts (Essarts Waterfall) are also key natural attractions.

Yes, Tauves and its surroundings boast several significant historical sites. The 12th-century Notre-Dame Church, classified as a Historic Monument, features beautiful sculpted capitals and a 15th-century altarpiece. You can also admire the 17th-century Sainte-Madeleine Chapel within the village. For a glimpse into ancient history, visit the Méjanesse Menhir (Pierre des Quatre Curés), a Neolithic basalt monument that traditionally marked the boundary between four parishes.

Tauves offers a variety of cultural experiences. You can step back in time at the Musée de l'École Rurale d'Auvergne (Museum of Rural School of Auvergne), which recreates a classroom from bygone days. The Artisanat Rural gallery in Tauves showcases local craftsmanship. Additionally, the region hosts events like the Festi-AOP d'Auvergne in late July, featuring concerts and tastings, and the renowned Tauves Theater Festival, also in July.

The summits around Tauves offer breathtaking panoramic views. From La Banne d'Ordanche, you'll get a 360° panorama over the Dordogne valley, with an orientation table pointing out the three volcanic massifs of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park. Puy Gros provides a magnificent view of Mont-Dore, La Bourboule, and the chain of puys, with the Puy de Sancy visible to the south. The Puy de Cliergue and Hor rock ridge also offers spectacular vistas into the neighboring valleys.

Absolutely! The area surrounding Tauves is a hiker's paradise with over 230 recorded routes, traversing forests, meadows, and unique geological formations. You can explore trails around La Tour d'Auvergne or those passing by La Roche des Fées. For challenging ridge walks with dizzying panoramas, consider the Crest from Col de Courre to Pas de l'Ane. Many trails offer access to the stunning viewpoints of the Massif du Sancy and the Dordogne valley.

Beyond hiking, Tauves is a great base for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including routes like the 'Notre-Dame de Natzy loop from La Tour-d'Auvergne'. Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy scenic routes such as the 'Artense Plateau Loop' or the challenging 'Chaudefour Valley – Col de la croix Saint-Robert loop'. Road cyclists have options like the 'Col de la Geneste (1372 m) – Le Mont-Dore loop'. You can find more details on these activities and specific routes in the Running Trails around Tauves, Cycling around Tauves, and Road Cycling Routes around Tauves guides.

Near Tauves, you can discover unique points of interest like Le Tra, a reconstruction of a temporary habitat historically used by breeders in mountain pastures. For nature lovers, La Roche des Fées (The Fairies' Rock) is a distinctive geological formation worth exploring. The nearby town of La Bourboule offers impressive Belle Époque architecture and green spaces, while Mont-Dore is a well-known thermal and winter sports resort.

Yes, there are several beautiful castles and gardens within a short distance of Tauves. You can visit the impressive medieval Château de Val, situated on the edge of a lake approximately 16 km away. Further afield, you'll find the Château de Cordès and its beautiful gardens, Les Jardins du Château de Cordès, located in Orcival. For garden enthusiasts, the Jardin D'Arsac in Saint-Fréjoux is also a delightful stop.

Visitors particularly enjoy the exceptional and easily accessible panoramic views from the volcanic summits, with many describing them as 'magnificent' and '360° over Auvergne'. The spectacular ridge trails, like the Puy de Cliergue and Hor rock ridge, are also highly appreciated for their vistas into the neighboring valleys. The unique historical reconstructions, such as Le Tra, also capture interest for their cultural insight.

Tauves itself hosts a weekly market every Thursday morning, where you can find local products. Additionally, nearby towns offer markets on various days: La Bourboule, Mont-Dore, and Bort-les-Orgues are known for their vibrant local markets.

The Site de St-Nazaire is a promontory located about 12 km west of Bort-les-Orgues, at the confluence of the Dordogne and Diège rivers. It offers magnificent views of the Dordogne Gorges and the Marèges dam, making it a great spot for scenic appreciation and photography.

Yes, Tauves is a great place to discover local products and craftsmanship. You can find local producers offering items like cheeses from the Fromagerie de l'Aire de Sully and other farm products. The Artisanat Rural gallery and exhibition space in Tauves specifically showcases local crafts, providing an opportunity to see and purchase unique regional items.