🇫🇷 4-Day Road Trip to Clermont-Ferrand (April 2025) 🚗💨

📍16-19/04/2025 – Spent spring break exploring Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of Auvergne, famous for its volcanic landscapes and black lava-stone cathedral. Just 400km from Paris—perfect for a scenic drive! 🚗 Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions Left at 9:30 AM, arrived 4:30 PM (with breaks). Skipped tolls for charming countryside views 🌾🏡. Quick stop at Place de Jaude (shopping center—skipable). 🌟 Day 2: Culture & Adventure L’Aventure Michelin: Spent 2 hours diving into Michelin’s history—fascinating! 🚘 Grottes des Lumières: A magical light/water show in a cave—our 5-year-old loved it! ✨🏞️ Cathédrale Notre-Dame: Stunning black cathedral with a fountain nearby. Parc Montjuzet: Hilltop park with playground + city views—great for kids! 🌋 Day 3: Hiking Puy de Dôme! Parked at Maison de Site (trailhead & train station). Hiked up (1.5hr route): Took 2+ hours with our little one—easy/moderate (she crushed it! 💪). Summit highlights: ❄️ Leftover snow (daughter went wild!) 🪂 Paragliders soaring—mesmerizing! 🚂 Took the train down (~€40 for 3). Hiking up was SO worth it! Bonus stop: Parc Thermal (waterfall, creek, playground—serene!). 🛣️ Day 4: Detour to Orléans Visited Maison de Jeanne d’Arc (*just a 15-min film—meh* 😕), but the town center was pretty! Final Thoughts: ✔️ Perfect mix of nature, history & kid-friendly fun ✔️ Hiking Puy de Dôme = trip highlight! ✔️ Self-drive = best way to explore 🚙 #France #Hiking #ClermontFerrand #Volcano #RoadTripFrance #TravelWithKids 🇫🇷👨‍👩‍👧