Cantal Cheese Route

Winding through the green volcanic landscapes of the Auvergne, the Cantal Cheese Route (Route du Cantal) is a sensory journey into one of France's oldest cheeses. This self-drive itinerary takes you past dramatic gorges, medieval villages, and family-run farms where Cantal cheese has been made for centuries. The air smells of hay and alpine grasses, and every stop offers a chance to taste the real thing.

Highlights & What to See

• Visit a traditional farm (ferme) to see Cantal cheese being made – look for the Salers label for the most artisanal version.
• Explore the cheese cellars of Riom-ès-Montagnes, where wheels of Cantal age for months in cool, humid caves.
• Hike in the Puy Mary volcanic massif, a UNESCO Global Geopark with panoramic views over the cheese-producing valleys.
• Wander the medieval streets of Salers, a hilltop village of honey-coloured stone and the birthplace of the cheese.
• Taste fresh Cantal at the markets of Aurillac – the Saturday market is a feast of local produce.
• Drive the scenic D680 through the Gorges de la Jordanne, dotted with stone burons (shepherds' huts).

Suggested Time to Spend

Dedicate at least two full days to explore the route properly. Spend the first day driving the southern loop from Aurillac to Salers and the Puy Mary, stopping at farms and viewpoint. Use the second day for the northern section around Riom-ès-Montagnes and the gorges. If you have a third day, add a hike or a cheese-tasting workshop. The route is best done between May and October, when farms are open and the alpine pastures are lush.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Vulcania – an interactive volcano theme park near Clermont-Ferrand, great for families.
• Le Puy-en-Velay – start of the Camino de Santiago, with its stunning volcanic landscape and cathedral.
• Conques – a magnificent Romanesque abbey village on the Santiago route.
• Gorges de la Truyère – dramatic river canyon with a huge reservoir, perfect for kayaking or scenic drives.
• Clermont-Ferrand – the regional capital, with a black-lava cathedral and excellent food markets.

Please check official sources for current details.