Taxi Clermont-Ferrand → La Bourboule

La Bourboule is a renowned spa town nestled in the Upper Dordogne valley at 850 metres altitude in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park. Founded in the late 19th century around hot arsenical springs, the town experienced a remarkable boom during the Belle Époque era, still evident today in its sumptuous thermal architecture, art nouveau villas and neo-Byzantine casino. La Bourboule's waters are the most arsenical in Europe: they emerge at 60°C from deep within the volcanic subsoil and have been prescribed for over a century for respiratory conditions, skin disorders and allergy-related ailments. The resort is particularly famous for paediatric cures: each year, thousands of asthmatic children or those suffering from eczema come for three-week treatments that have earned the Choussy-Lépine thermal establishment its international reputation. Beyond thermal treatments, La Bourboule offers exceptional tourism in every season. Fenestre Park, a true green lung in the town centre, features playgrounds, a mini-golf course and shaded walks along the nascent Dordogne. Heritage enthusiasts will appreciate the grand Belle Époque hotels — including the majestic Hôtel des Bains — the eclectic-style villas and the casino, an architectural jewel that still hosts shows and gaming evenings. In winter, the Charlannes ski resort at 1,250 metres offers a family-friendly domain ideal for learning alpine and cross-country skiing, with gentle slopes framed by century-old fir trees. Hikers will find their paradise on trails leading to Roche Vendeix, a promontory offering 360° views over the Sancy massif, or to Puy Gros (1,793 m) whose summit overlooks the entire Upper Dordogne. In summer, the Dordogne gorges lend themselves to canyoning and trout fishing in crystal-clear waters. The Friday morning market, held in the covered halls and on Place de la République, offers local specialities: farmhouse Saint-Nectaire cheese, Auvergne saucisson, mountain honey and gentian liqueur. The taxi journey from Clermont-Ferrand crosses the volcanic landscapes of the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy massif, offering a panorama that changes with every season: the blazing autumn colours on the beech forests, the white winter mantle on the peaks, the flower-filled spring meadows and the lush green summer pastures.