Home > Tourist Attractions  > France   Select from the following attraction(s).   Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel (Mont Saint-Michel Abbey) Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile Arènes d’Arles (Roman Amphitheatre in Arles) Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre (Sacré Coeur Basilica, Montmartre) Cathédrale de Chartres (Chartres Cathedral) Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Paris Notre-Dame Cathedral) Château de Chenonceau (Chenonceau Castle) Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles) Cimitière du Père Lachaise (Père Lachaise Cemetery) Cité de Carcassonne (The Walled Town of Carcassonne) Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie Disneyland Resort Paris Grotte de Lascaux (Cave of Lascaux) Maison de Claude Monet et Le Jardin d’eau (Claude Monet’s House and Water Garden) Musée du Louvre (Louvre) Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum) Palais des Papes (Popes’ Palace) Parc Astérix Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne (Regional Nature Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne) Plages du Débarquement de la Bataille de Normandie (D-Day Beaches) Planète Futuroscope Pont St-Bénézet (St Benezet Bridge) Rocamadour Tapisserie de Bayeux (Bayeux Tapestry) Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower)       Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne (Regional Nature Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne) Description: Covering an area of more than 395,000 hectares (976,085 acres), the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne is the largest national park in France. The park, which was created in 1977, is home to four volcanic massifs: the Chaîne des Puys (Puy de Dôme, 1465m/4792ft high), Monts Dore (Puy de Sancy, 1886m/6188ft high), Monts du Cézalier (Signal du Luguet, 1551m/5089ft high) and Monts du Cantal (Plomb du Cantal, 1855m/6086 ft high). There are glaciers, lakes and peatland throughout the park, as well as numerous exhibitions of flora, fauna and traditional architecture. Visitors to the park can, amongst other activities, taste local cheeses at the Maison des Fromages and the Maison de Buronnier or spot many thousands of birds. For the more active, sporting activities include hiking, riding, cycling, hand-gliding and hot-air ballooning. Those interested in geology and history can visit the Maison de la Pierre de Volvic where an explanation is given as to how volcanic rock was once cut and extracted. There are numerous other educational centres located within the park, including the Maison de l’Eau et de la Pêche, Maison de la Faune, Maison des Fleurs d’Auvergne, Maison des Tourbières et du Cézalier and La Chaumière de Granièr. Contact Addresses: Regional Nature Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne Information Centre, Montlosier 63970 Aydat, France Tel: (04) 7365 6400. Fax: (04) 7365 6678. E-mail: Parc.Volcans@wanadoo.fr Website: www.parcs-naturels-regionaux.tm.fr Transportation: Air: Clermont Ferrand Airport. Rail: Train: Clermont Ferrand Station. Road: Car: A71 (from Paris); A72 (from Lyon). Opening Times: La Chaumière de Granièr (Granièr Cottage): Daily 1400-1800 (15 Jun-15 Sep). Maison de Buronnier (Buron Centre): Daily 1400-1800 (15-30 Jun and 1-15 Sep); daily 1000-1230 and 1430-1900 (Jul-Aug). Maison de l’Eau et de la Pêche (Water and Angling Centre): Daily 1000-1200 and 1400-1600 (1 May-30 Sep). Maison des Fromages d’Auvergne (Auvergne Cheese Centre): Daily 1400-1800 (15-30 Jun and 1-15 Sep); daily 1000-1230 and 1430-1900 (Jul-Aug). Maison de la Faune (Fauna Centre): Daily 1000-1200 and 1500-1900 (Jul-Aug). Maison des Fleurs d’Auvergne (Auvergne Flower Centre): Daily 1000-1900 (1 May-15 Sep). Maison de la Pierre de Volvic (Volvic Stone Centre): Daily 1000-1200 and 1400-1700 (Mar-Apr and 1 Oct-15 Nov); daily 1000-1200 and 1400-1800 (2 May-30 Sep). Maison des Tourbières et du Cézalier (Peat Bogs and Cézalier Centre): Daily 1000-1200 and 1400-1900 (1 May-30 Sep). Admission Fees: Park: Free. Various Centres: Between EUR2.70-3.50/FFr18-25.     Copyright © 2005 Highbury Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd.  Terms and Conditions apply.