Nature Festival in the Puy-de-Dôme

The Nature Festival in the Puy-de-Dôme: five days of biodiversity discovery

The Nature Festival is the largest national event dedicated to nature and biodiversity. Created in 2007 on the initiative of the French Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Terre Sauvage magazine, this event brings together millions of participants across France every year for thousands of free activities.

The Puy-de-Dôme, an exceptional territory for biodiversity

The Puy-de-Dôme department offers a remarkable diversity of natural environments: the Chaîne des Puys, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Massif du Sancy, crater lakes, high-altitude peat bogs, the valleys and forests of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park. The Departmental Council manages a network of Sensitive Natural Areas (ENS) which are the focus of specific activities during the Nature Festival.

A rich and diverse program

For five days, the department offers numerous free activities:

• Nature walks: guided hikes to discover volcanic flora, fauna, and landscapes
• Citizen science: species counts, birdwatching, guided naturalist inventories
• Openings of natural sites: privileged access to the department's Sensitive Natural Areas
• Educational workshops: nature activities for children and families
• Artistic performances: intersections between art and nature
• Immersions: “24 hours in the heart of nature,” bivouacs, and night discoveries

A commitment from the Departmental Council

The Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council is a major player in the Nature Festival in its territory. Through its policy of preserving Sensitive Natural Areas and its commitment to biodiversity, the Department organizes and coordinates numerous awareness-raising actions throughout the year, with a highlight during the Nature Festival in May.

Events accessible to all

All activities are free and open to all audiences, from families with young children to experienced naturalists. The outings are led by nature guides, Departmental agents, naturalist associations, and passionate volunteers who share their knowledge of local biodiversity.