From Clermont station the train describes a semicircle as it ascends the highly-cultivated vineclad mountains rising from Clermont. The first station is Royat, with the hotels Univers; Monnet; Nice; St. Mart, adjoining the Casino; Grand Hotel; Continental Hotel. On the road up to Royat are H. Chabassière; Victoria; Paix; Paris; Europe; Lyons. Higher up beyond the hotels is the village of Royat. The parish church, founded in the 7th cent, and rebuilt in the 10th and 11th, was heightened and fortified in the 12th cent. In the centre of the transept is a low tower, square in the first stage and octagonal in the second. Under the small chancel, raised 5 ft. above the floor of the nave, is a crypt supported on six colonnettes.
In the “Place” is a crucifix of lava erected in 1486. At the back of J. C. is Mary with the child, and the apostles standing on consoles. The narrow steep road from in front of the Mary side leads
down to the Grotte des Sources, a cave in basalt, whence gush forth sundry springs of crystal water. Only those, however, are seen which are allowed to flow into the receptacle used by the washerwomen; the others are led to Clermont, where they supply the fountains. [ St. Mart.] The road, after crossing the Tirtaine, enters the territory of St. Mart. In the lower part of the valley, in a small park on the right side of the Tirtaine, is the bathing establishment, supplied by five springs, of which the most important is the Eugenie, which rises in front of the establishment; temperature, 100° Fahr. The principal ingredients are the chlorate of sodium, mixed with the bicarbonates of lime, soda, and magnesia, and a little iron. The baths are made of volcanic tufa. The charge is from 1½ fr. to 2½ frs. according to the season.
Besides the hotels already mentioned there are around the establishment the H. St. Mart; the H. Splendide; Bains; Bristol, all large first-class houses. On the road up the left bank of the Tirtaine are the Louvre; Richelieu; Belle Vue; France et Angleterre; Sources. St. Mart is 1¼ m. from Clermont by omnibus, passing through Chamalières. A great variety of excursions in the neighbourhood.
CLERMONT
MARSEILLES 5 117 [DURTOL], situated among high wooded mountains.
Volvic. Pont-Gibaud. Laqueuille.
CLERMONT
MARSEILLES 12½ 109½ [VOLVIC]. In the neighbourhood of the station are large quarries of lava, the produce of the extinct crater Puy de la Nugère, 3261 ft. Through the gap in the hill in front of the station is an excellent view of Riom, 3½ m. E. from Volvic by coach. Volvic, pop. 4000, is partly on an eminence at the foot of Le Puy de la Bannière. The parish church dates from the 13th cent. Quarrying, stonecutting, and agriculture are the principal industries (see [p. 369]).
The train still ascending passes Vauriat 17½ m., St. Ours-les-Roches 20 m., and then arrives at the station for [Pont-Gibaud], pop. 1300, 24 m. distant. Inns: H. Johannel; H. Beraud. Their omnibuses await passengers. Pont-Gibaud and its castle, 14th cent., are situated on the Sioule, which traverses by a deep ravine a bed of lava from the crater of Puy de Dome. Near the castle are the smelting-houses of the important argentiferous mines in the neighbourhood.
CLERMONT
MARSEILLES 40½ 81½ [LAQUEUILLE], 3624 ft. above the sea. Change here for Mont-Dore-les-Bains 10½ m. S.E., and for Bourboule 8 m. S.W. The beautiful mountain-road to Mont Dore passes through at about halfway the village of Le Quaire, 3620 ft. above the sea. Immediately below Le Quaire is Bourboule. The road to Bourboule passes through the village of St. Sauves, 2838 ft. above the sea.