Stopover in Puy-de-Dôme area: driving from Loire Valley to Provence?
 

Hello!

My husband and I driving from the Loire Valley (Amboise) to Avignon this September. We'd like to break up the 7-8 hour trip halfway and stay overnight. Michelin recommends the quickest route down to Clermont-Ferrand then east along A89 / E70 through to St Etienne.

Any recommendations for pretty towns to stay in? It looks like Thiers is about the halfway point. I've looked at the beautiful villages map (http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/) but no towns seem perfect in terms of scheduling...

It's our first time in France, so be gentle ;-) We don't really know what's around but I'm trying to research like crazy. This forum is great. Thanks for any advice!

Is there any reason you aren't just taking the train, which is cheaper and faster? You can drive all you want once you get there.

The Puy de Dôme area is excellent, especially if you visit the site of the Puy de Dôme itself and perhaps Vulcania as well.

I do find the volcanic stone architecture of the area a bit creepy, but that's just me. http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...418/auvergne-1

We considered the train but are renting a car around the Loire for only two days. Seemed more of a hassle to have to return the car, get on a train which takes 5hours or so anyway by the time you connect through Lyon or Paris, and hire another car in Provence.

Just bumping this up -- I'm finding it difficult to research this, if anyone has any additional ideas?

Well, I stayed in the Campanile in Riom, which was convenient to the motorway and for visiting the surrounding areas.