Auvergne, an astonishing region with so much to discover !
20 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand and 10 minutes from Volvic, Châtel-Guyon is located right in the heart of Auvergne. This surprising region with its different landscapes and its unique natural heritage will satisfy both thrill-seekers and those looking for peace and tranquillity.
Located at the heart of an exceptional geological setting, the Chaîne des Puys – Limagne fault tectonic arena (the first site in France to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site), the resort is your starting point for countless discovery tours, including hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and cycling.
Less than an hour away by car or bus, the region also offers a number of major cultural and historical sites, such as the summit of the Puy de Dôme with its spectacular panoramic view, Vulcania, an amusement park based on volcanoes and the planet Earth, Clermont-Ferrand and its iconic black cathedral, L’Aventure Michelin, the Massif du Sancy and its lakes, the Auvergne cheese route and its 5 PDO stars, and more.
It’s here, in this land steeped in history and energy, that Aïga’s thermal waters bubble up from the depths, imbued with the strength of the volcanoes that have surrounded it for millions of years.
Châtel-Guyon : a wide range of activities to suit all tastes
Before or after your preventive health cure or your well-being treatments, the resort of Châtel-Guyon offers a wide range of leisure activities !
Tour of Châtel-Guyon
On your own or with a guide, discover this town of two halves: its “winegrowers’ village”, with its typical houses built along steep streets, and its spa district, where extravagant villas, baroque hotels, thermal baths and a casino offer an embarrassment of architectural riches as you stroll along, with wrought-iron balustrades, remarkable ceramics and hotels straight out of a film set.
Theater
An intimate 450-seat theatre, the Théâtre de Châtel-Guyon offers a rich and entertaining cultural season, with almost 50 shows each year, including concerts, theatre, comedy, newcomer shows and headliners.
Built in 1901, it is one of the city’s architectural gems.
Free festivals
Jazz aux Sources: a unique jazz and dance festival!
Free concerts, dance classes and swing parades in the streets.
Les Estivales du Parc: in July and August, the Casino organises free open-air concerts on the thermal park stage for lively musical evenings.
Les Récrés du Parc: designed for families, open-air shows, pony rides, wooden games and more, on Sundays throughout the summer.
The casino
Slot machines, blackjack, video poker, Texas hold ’em poker, electronic roulette, Café Colonial restaurant, terrace bar, etc.
The parks of Châtel-Guyon and the municipal forest
Need to surround yourself in greenery ? Châtel-Guyon offers you nature and rejuvenation on a plate! In this natural and rejuvenating setting, there are two landscaped parks, each with its own style, where you can enjoy a moment of relaxation and calm in the heart of the town. And on the town’s doorstep (less than 10 minutes’ walk) is the municipal forest, with its remarkable wealth of wildlife, many species of plants and a fitness trail, for an immersive forest experience.
Church of Saint Anne
The church of Saint Anne was built in 1845 on a hill called Le Calvaire. It features 800 m2 of stunning Byzantine-inspired frescoes created in 1956 by Estonian painter Nicolas Greschny. Guaranteed to take your breath away !
Les Grands Thermes
The iconic establishment of the resort of Châtel-Guyon and registered as a historic monument, Les Grands Thermes is no longer in operation as a spa building. Built in 1908 by architect Benjamin Chaussemiche, it is a treasure trove of architectural gems! Prestigious halls, polychrome earthenware, stucco, marble… a must-see on your visit.
The Riom museums
Musée Mandet: a permanent collection of paintings and sculptures from the 16th to the 19th centuries, decorative art from Antiquity to the present day, and temporary exhibitions (Nicky de Saint Phalle, Salvador Dali, etc.)
Musée Régional d’Auvergne (Auvergne Regional Museum): accredited as a Musée de France, this museum contains more than 4,000 objects providing an insight into 19th-century rural Auvergne, its territory and its people.
Multimedia centre and cinem
With more than 70,000 documents at your disposal (books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, comics, etc.), the Médiathèque des Jardins de la Culture in Riom, 5 km away, offers you the chance to read the book of your choice free of charge on site, read the newspaper over a cup of coffee, play board games, listen to music or audio books, watch films, etc.
The adjacent Arcadia cinema, a 3-screen (542-seat) complex, is equipped with the latest technology and offers several screenings a day.
For more information, visit the Tourist Office.
Physical activities to discover nearby
Walking tours
Explore Châtel-Guyon and the surrounding area with no fewer than 700 km of footpaths and a host of tourist trails! Take your pick: volcanic peaks, the Limagne plain, forest or city excursions. Each route allows you to discover a region with a thousand and one facets.
Mountain biking
If you’re a keen road racer or mountain biking enthusiast, you’ll be on two wheels in no time! Whether on a regular or electric bike, you have over fifteen signposted routes starting from (or in the immediate vicinity of) the spa resort of Châtel-Guyon.
Treetop trail – immersive game – geocaching
Come and spend some quality time in the forest. Parc Ecureuil in Châtel-Guyon welcomes you, your family and friends to its many trails and invites you to explore the park in life-size adventures combining the real and digital worlds !
Horse riding
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, you’ll enjoy riding among the volcanoes, wending your way through the magnificent forests or discovering the vast expanses of the Limagne region. Guaranteed thrills for equine enthusiasts !
Golf
The greens of Auvergne are yours to enjoy ! Swing to your heart’s content at the foot of the volcanoes or in the forest, with four 18-hole golf courses around Châtel-Guyon (10 minutes to 1 hour by car).
Canoeing – kayaking – paddle boarding
Fancy a water sports activity ? Explore the Sioule gorges, paddle down the Allier river or splash about on our lakes and admire the Auvergne countryside from a whole new perspective, from the watercraft of your choice!
Must-see tourist sites
Vulcania
Vulcania, an amusement and discovery park, reveals the secrets of the earth and its volcanoes, their mysteries and their beauty.
Panoramique des Dômes railway
Climb aboard this cogwheel train and make your way to the top of Puy de Dôme, the highest point in the Chaîne des Puys, for a breathtaking view of the whole of Auvergne !
Lemptégy volcano
Explore the inner depths of a real volcano on an interactive, life-size, open-air tour.
Archaeological Museum of the Battle of Gergovie
A lively, interactive trail takes you back to the Gallic War between Julius Caesar and Vercingetorix on a legendary site!
City tourism
Riom
A designated “Town of Art and History”, 5 minutes from Châtel-Guyon, the former capital of the Duchy of Auvergne reveals its distinguished history. Take a stroll along the cobbled streets and be amazed at the Volvic black stone and its mineral content. Remarkable facades, fascinating interior courtyards, finely sculpted staircases… over 400 years of architecture to discover !
Clermont-Ferrand
Much more than just a stopover for volcano hunters, Clermont-Ferrand has a lot to offer! Keep your eyes peeled for the unique Volvic black stone cathedral, the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port and old town houses.
There is also the international short film festival, museums including the Musée d’Art Roger Quillot, ASM Clermont Auvergne rugby matches in the legendary Marcel Michelin stadium, open-air shows and concerts, incredible tea rooms for fabulous snacks and amazing restaurants for fine dining !
Vichy
Queen of the spa towns, Vichy is an exceptional thermal resort! Less than 1 hour by car or train from Châtel-Guyon, discover the spa district with its park, opera house, thermal baths and many prestigious hotels dating from the early 19th century. You can also relax on the banks of the Allier river with its trees and landscaped gardens, or take a Sunday shopping trip – all the shops in the town centre are open !
Many other tourist, cultural and historical sites await you.…
For more information, visit the Tourist Office.