Mont-Dore
Geography
Mont-Dore is located in the Massif Central, on the right bank of the Dordogne not far from its source, and 50 km (31 mi) by road southwest of Clermont-Ferrand. The Monts Dore close the valley towards the south.
Climate
Climate data for Le Mont-Dore, 1220m (1991−2020 normals) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 3.6 (38.5) |
3.6 (38.5) |
6.6 (43.9) |
9.5 (49.1) |
13.7 (56.7) |
17.6 (63.7) |
19.9 (67.8) |
20.0 (68.0) |
16.1 (61.0) |
12.3 (54.1) |
6.9 (44.4) |
4.4 (39.9) |
11.2 (52.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 0.4 (32.7) |
0.2 (32.4) |
3.0 (37.4) |
5.5 (41.9) |
9.4 (48.9) |
12.9 (55.2) |
14.9 (58.8) |
15.1 (59.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
8.4 (47.1) |
3.7 (38.7) |
1.4 (34.5) |
7.2 (45.0) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −2.7 (27.1) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
1.5 (34.7) |
5.0 (41.0) |
8.3 (46.9) |
10.0 (50.0) |
10.1 (50.2) |
7.1 (44.8) |
4.6 (40.3) |
0.5 (32.9) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
3.2 (37.8) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 197.5 (7.78) |
172.2 (6.78) |
174.9 (6.89) |
178.9 (7.04) |
179.8 (7.08) |
147.8 (5.82) |
141.2 (5.56) |
128.8 (5.07) |
155.8 (6.13) |
183.0 (7.20) |
229.4 (9.03) |
240.1 (9.45) |
2,129.4 (83.83) |
Source: Météo-France |
Thermal springs
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/MontDoreThermes.jpg/220px-MontDoreThermes.jpg)
The thermal springs of Mont-Dore, now numbering twelve, were known to the Romans. The modern thermal establishment, which was built in 1817 by the French architect Louis-Charles-François Ledru, features Byzantine and Romanesque design influences.
Sodium bicarbonate, iron and arsenic are the principal ingredients of the springs, which are used both for drinking and bathing. Hot baths are characteristic of the treatment; they are believed to be efficacious for tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, and nervous and rheumatic paralysis. Due to the elevation and exposure of the valley, the climate of Mont-Dore is relatively severe, and the season only lasts from 15 June to 15 September. The bath-house was rebuilt in 1891–1894.
Ski resort
Mont-Dore is a ski resort with runs on the slopes of the Puy de Sancy and the Puy Ferrand. Thirty runs account for 42 km of downhill skiing, served by a number of lifts of different types. There are also 25 km of cross-country trails.
Sights
In the town park, along the Dordogne, relics of the old Roman baths have been collected. The surrounding country, with its fir woods, pastures, waterfalls and mountains, is very attractive. To the south is the Puy de Sancy (1,886 m), the loftiest peak of central France.
Gallery
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The Hôtel de Ville
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Church
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View from above the Grande Cascade
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg/40px-Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg.png)
References
- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
- ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
- ^ Commune de Mont-Dore (63236), code officiel géographique, INSEE
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 763.
- ^ "Fiche Climatologique Statistiques 1991-2020 et records" (PDF) (in French). Météo-France. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "A Wellness Paradise: Mont-Dore and the Fountain of Youth". Visit Auvergne. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "The Thermes du Mont-Dore". Auvergne Sancy. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "The isotopic and chemical composition of CO2-rich thermal waters in the Mont-Dore region (Massif-Central, France)". Science Direct. Retrieved 14 May 2024.