Many novelties at the Sancy Massif this winter.

The Le Mont-Dore ski area

• The snowpark (secteur des Isards) will be extended this winter.
• A third tobogan run will be created at the Ludo Glyss area.
• A fun ski slope themed "Gaulois" will be created at the Les Longes area.
• A loading carpet has been added to the De la Dore chairlift.
• A permanent treasure hunt on the ski slopes, with a map on sale at the ski lifts.

The Super-Besse ski area

• A new 4 perons chairlift is replacing the De la Falaise (2 persons). This new chairlift serves the following ski slopes: Rocher, Hermines, Lys Martagon, Chibret, Bois Joli.
• Adventure Parc: toddler space (ball pit, slides ...), a ropes course, a labyrinth, climbing walls, bowling.  More information here.

Cross country ski area Sancy Ouest

• Chastreix-Sancy : new departure of the cross country ski tracks, new ticket office et a new green and a new blue cross country ski track.
• La Bourboule / Charlannes : creation of 2 new cross country ski tracks so there are now 4 ski tracks available: 1 green, 1 blue, 1 red and 1 black) and the creation of a beginners cross country ski track.  Creation of a restaurant area at the new start of the ski tracks close to the arrival of the old cable car.
• La Stèle : new markup of a black cross country ski track 'Sancy Ouest' of 30.5 km which links the 4 areas of the Sancy Ouest cross country ski area.
• Capucin : new markup of a black cross country ski track of  20,5 km which will take you via La Stèle to the Olaines brûlées.

It is snowing steadily! Feeling like a wintersport holiday; do not wait too long making a reservation. We only have limited availability left:

• Apartment Puy Ferrand: only available from 29 February up to 2 March
• Apartment Puy de la Vache: Available as of 25 February
• Apartment Puy de Dôme: Available as of 27 February
• Apartment Puy de Baladou: Available from 24 February up to 27 February

After the holiday period - as of 5 March - we still have availability.

In recent years we have welcomed a number of journalists. What they wrote about Les Camélias can be read on our new In the press page.

We have updated the calender; many great activities are being organised during the Christmas holidays!

During the Christmas holidays Les Camélias only has limited availability left; do not wait too long before making your reservation!

• Puy Ferrand: available only as of Saturday 2 January 2016

• Puy de la Vache: available up until Monday 21 December and again as of Sunday 3  January 2016
• Puy de Dôme: available up until Thursday 24 December and again as of Saturday 2 January 2016
• Puy de Sancy: available up until Saturday 19 December and again as of Saturday 2 January 2016
• Puy de Baladou: available up until Saturday 19 December and again as of Saturday 2 January 2016
• Puy de l’Angle: available only as of Sunday 3 January 2016

Together with Livia van Eijlle of Le Relais de Voissieres we organise self-guided walking holidays where flexibility is paramount. For example, one can choose from:

• the number of days
• the start date
• the daily distances
• rest days or no rest days – for which you yourself can choose the location. You yourself can decide what to do on this rest day: a stroll, lounge about or another activity
• with or without luggage transport

And... the holidays can be organised all year round. In winter time participants can use snowshoes!

More information about these hiking holidays can be found on the Hiking in the Auvergne website.

The Auvergne is also a paradise for motorcyclist. For more information visit this page or take a look at the dedicated Motor biking in the Auvergne website.

A video to get in the mood for the upcoming winter sport season.

Via the (French) video below one can visit the thermal baths of Le Mont-Dore and also visit the engine room of the funicular railway. The funicular railway is the oldest in France (1898). The video furthermore mentions that Le Mont-Dore is the second oldest ski resort in France.

Also in wintertime many nice events are being organised close to Les Camélias: the Trail Hivernal (a trail run competition on snowy mountain paths), Sancy Snow Pride (the Winter Gay Week-end of central France), the Sancy Snow Jazz Festival and lots more. More information can be found in our calendar.

Planning your 2016 cycling trips? Maybe our road cyling round trip is just what you are looking for.

During this cycling holiday you will cycle in 5 or 6 stages through 3 different middle mountain ranges; the Massif du Sancy, the Livradois-Forez and the Cantal. The climbs will go up to 1.589 meter. On average the climbs will bridge between 300 and 400 meters but this can go up to 700 meters on a few occasions. This might not seem to strenuous, but it should be taken into account that you will not encounter many flat stretches of road during this cycling trip.

To allow everyone to cycle on his / her own level, we have (at least) five routes of different levels per stage. It is possible to change your level each day and, if necessary, you might even be able to switch levels during the stage itself. Mountain stages and less intense stages alternate.

More information on our dedicated page.

The video below shows that the Sancy Massif offers more than skiing and snowboarding in winter time. It also has many kilometers of cross country ski circuits and signposted snow shoe routes. You can also go for a sledge dog ride or do the 1.600 meter long zip wire at Super-Besse which is also open during winter

We only have limited availability left for the winter holidays.

From 20 up to 27 February 2016 included the 27^th Sancy Snow Jazz festival will take place. During this period no less than 58 concerts - most of them in bars and restaurants in Le Mont-Dore - will take place.

We only have limited availability left for this period.

Below a foretast of this festival.

We already knew it, but Lonely Planet now also knows it: the Auvergne is worthwhile a visit! From 10 recommended regions worldwide the Auvergne takes place number 6!

A few reasons why Lonely Planet loves the Auvergne: the Chaîne de Puys (a chain of extinct volcanoes), the hiking possibilities like in the Réserve Naturelle de Chastreix-Sancy, the Roman architecture of churches and cathedrals, but also the Horizons Landart project is greatly appreciated. And even the Auvergnat sense of humor is mentioned in the article.

The article also mentions the Auvergnat cuisine. Lonely Planet did even publish a separate page on what to eat in the Auvergne. The article does mention Le Mont-Dore.

The complete article on the Auvergne can be read on the Lonely Planet website.

While working hard in the garden to create a second terrace, we also improve the new Les Camélias website. We now can add images to the calendar and our Instagram account has been linked to the website. With the latter, visitors to our website can follow us even more directly.

By using #lescameliasmontdore Instagram images are automaticale added onto our website.

From 11 up to 18 June 2016 we will be organising a week full of cycling for the Dutch Team Chickfietst.

Registration for the Trail Hivernal Sancy Mont-Dore EzyShoes is no longer possible. Within 2,5 days all 1.300 places have been booked!

Sunday 17 January 2016 the Trail Hivernal Sancy Mont-Dore EzyShoes will again take place. Participants can choose between 20 kms with 900 meters of climbing or 30 kms with 1.500 meters of climbing.

Be quick, the maximum number of participants is limited.

Registration as of now via the Sportips website.

Below a foretaste with images of the 2015 edition of this really well organised event.

During the Christmas holidays Les Camélias only has limited availability left; do not wait too long before making your reservation!

• Puy Ferrand: available only as of Saturday 2 January 2016

• Puy de la Vache: available up until Monday 21 December and again as of Friday 1 January 2016
• Puy de Dôme: available up until Thursday 24 December and again as of Friday 1 January 2016
• Puy de Sancy: available up until Thursday 24 December and again as of Friday 1 January 2016
• Puy de Baladou: available up until Monday 21 December and again as of Saturday 2 January 2016
• Puy de l’Angle: available up until Thursday 24 December and again as of Sunday 3 January 2016

During the Christmas holidays Les Camélias only has limited availability left; do not wait too long before making your reservation. Earlier we did indicate that we do not have any availability left from 26 up to 31 December included.

But... due to a cancelation our Puy de l'Angle apartment is again available from 24 up to 31 December.

As written earlier this week now is the period to do small jobs in our apartments. The bathrooms of our Puy de Dôme and Puy de Sancy apartments did get guest towel holders.

The Puy de Dôme and Puy de Sancy apartments are located next to each other on the 2nd  floor and have been completely renovated in 2015. Each apartment sleeps 3 persons. The bedroom is equipped with a double bed (or if preferred 2 single beds) and a sofa bed.

Now that our apartments are not continuous occupied we can do some maintenance. Today our Puy de l’Angle apartment was not occupied and the loose, rather fragile bedside lamps on the mezzanine were replaced with wall lights. The curtain rail has been extended so that it no gets longer stuck when the windows are opened.

During the Christmas holidays Les Camélias only has limited availability left; do not wait too long before making your reservation. Earlier we did indicate that we do not have any availability left from 26 up to 31 December included.

But... due to a cancelation our Puy de l'Angle apartment is again available from 24 up to 31 December. During the Christmas holidays we have a minimum stay policy of 4 nights.

During the Christmas holidays Les Camélias only has limited availability left; do not wait too long before making your reservation. From 26 up to 31 December included we do not have any availability left.

From 17 up to 20 September the 9th Volcanic Blues Festival will take place. A great event with blues music in the many bars & restaurants in Le Mont-Dore. Below a sneak peek.

We only have a few apartments free during this week-end.