The Chaine des Puys, which translates - rather prosaically - as “chain of volcanic hills”, stretches for 25 miles through the Auvergne region of the Massif Central, a highland area of south - central France. There are 48 cinder cones, eight lava domes, and 15 maars, or explosion craters, with the highest point being the 1, 465 - metre Puy de Dôme, right in the middle of the chain.
Formed 95, 000 years ago, they have been inactive for around 6, 000 years - so modern visitors need not worry about unexpected rumbles.
It is one of the loveliest stretches of the Auvergne, with splendid uplands, lakes, churches and plenty of old - fashioned villages - with Orcival, Le Mont - Dore and Aydat being among the most enticing. Exploring the region is easy. There are more than 3, 000 miles of signposted hiking trails, including many suited to families, while the region offers possibilities for riding, paragliding, kayaking and - in winter - even skiing.
Families might also be interested in visiting Vulcania, a scientific, subterranean theme park dedicated to volcanoes, with features including a Rumbling Gallery and a Lava Tunnel.
Cycling is another lure, and the Puy de Dôme formed the backdrop for one of the greatest photographs in sporting history: Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil battling one another at the 1964 Tour de France, and literally rubbing shoulders, on the steep three - mile road to its summit.
Unfortunately - for keen cyclists, that is - a tourist train to the top was unveiled in 2012 and two - wheeled forays up the mountain are no longer permitted, except in special circumstances.
Away from the Puy de Dôme, the poster boy of the Auvergne, you’ll likely find solitude.
Anthony Peregrine, Telegraph Travel’s France expert, recalls a visit to the region: “We climbed to hamlets where our presence doubtless fuelled fireside chats through winter. Miles from anywhere, we bumped into farmers on tractors the size of aircraft carriers. The middle of nowhere is, of course, somewhere for them. Invariably, they waved in minimalist fashion and made room for us to pass. And then there was no one at all. ”
How do I get there?
Clermont - Ferrand is the capital of the Auvergne and gateway to the Chaine des Puys. But there are no direct flights from the UK, so you’ll need go via Paris or fly to Limoges or Lyon. From Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, it’s a two - hour drive.
Are these the nearest volcanoes to Britain?
Not quite. The Chaine des Puys is around 400 miles from London. A little closer is the Vulkan Eifel, a corner of Germany’s Eifel Mountains that’s still volcanically active. But it is far less dramatic in appearance.
The volcanic island of Surtsey, the most southerly of around 130 volcanoes found in Iceland, is around 600 miles from the northern reaches of Scotland.
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