Taxi La Bourboule → Le Mont-Dore

La Bourboule and Le Mont-Dore are the twin spa and tourist resorts of the Sancy massif, separated by just 10 km of mountain road along the Upper Dordogne. These two towns, though very close geographically, each have their own identity and complementary strengths making them a unique pairing in the French thermal and tourist landscape. La Bourboule is the town of arsenical waters, specialising in paediatric cures for asthma and eczema, with its Fenestre Park, Belle Époque casino and family-friendly Charlannes ski resort. Le Mont-Dore is the Puy de Sancy town, renowned for its historic neo-Byzantine thermal baths specialising in rheumatology and respiratory conditions, its 31-run ski domain served by 14 lifts, and its cable car ascending to the summit of the Massif Central's highest point. The taxi shuttle between the two resorts serves many needs. Spa guests are the primary users: some follow a cure at La Bourboule in the morning and wish to enjoy a complementary treatment at Le Mont-Dore in the afternoon, or vice versa. Thermal doctors sometimes prescribe treatments at both establishments when pathologies warrant it, as each resort's waters have different and complementary properties. Skiers are the second main users: the Charlannes domain at La Bourboule and the Mont-Dore – Sancy domain offer different experiences, and some skiers like to alternate between Charlannes' family runs and the more sporting Val de Courre runs at Le Mont-Dore. An inter-resort ski pass exists for skiers wishing to enjoy both domains. Hikers also appreciate this shuttle: many hiking routes start in one resort and end in the other, such as the Upper Dordogne trail following the river from its source (near Le Mont-Dore) to La Bourboule, or ridge trails linking the summits above both valleys. The D130 road connecting the two resorts follows the nascent Dordogne valley, offering preserved mountain landscapes with century-old fir forests, altitude meadows where Salers cattle graze, and volcanic stone hamlets. In winter, the road dons a spectacular white mantle, firs bowing under snow and surrounding peaks glittering in the altitude sunshine. This link is also used by restaurateurs and shopkeepers from both resorts, by families staying in one resort who wish to enjoy the other's activities, and by passing tourists wanting to discover both faces of the Sancy in a single day.