Cantal in summer
The peak season. Swimmable lakes (Aydat, Chambon, the Allier beaches), festivals in every village, night markets on Wednesdays in Murol and Salers. Book 2 to 3 months ahead for the centre of the tourist towns.
Weather
Mild to hot (25-30°C in the lowlands, 18-22°C at altitude). Late-afternoon storms in July-August.
The département in brief
Cantal, where time takes its time.
⚠️ Good to know: Avoid hikes with no shade between 11am and 4pm in high summer (heatwave). Head for altitude (Mont-Dore, Cézallier) if Clermont forecasts > 35°C.
The essentials
Not to miss in summer
A seasonal selection across the whole of Auvergne. For our addresses in Cantal, see below.
- Europavox in Clermont-Ferrand (late June)
- Aurillac Festival, street theatre (late August)
- La Chaise-Dieu Festival, classical music (second half of August)
- Lifeguarded swimming at Lac d'Aydat or Lac Chambon (Blue Flag)
- Night market in Murol on Wednesdays, Besse on Mondays
- Sunset on the Puy de Dôme or the Puy Mary
- Walk round Lac Pavin (one hour, flat path, emerald water)
- Sleep in a treehouse, a bubble or a yurt (book 2-3 months ahead)
Cantal
12 places to discover
Editorial selection in Cantal, to filter by what you fancy this season.
Puy Mary
4.8Le Claux · Cantal
1389 reviews
Garabit Viaduct
4.7Ruynes-en-Margeride · Cantal
1795 reviews
Arena City
5.0Roffiac · Cantal
160 reviews
Auberge des Montagnes
4.7Pailherols · Cantal
967 reviews
Le Lioran
4.5Laveissière · Cantal
5901 reviews
Plomb du Cantal
4.8Saint-Jacques-des-Blats · Cantal
374 reviews
Maison d'Hôtes La Grange
4.9Salers · Cantal
77 reviews
Le Pailherolais
4.8Pailherols · Cantal
125 reviews
La Grange de la Haute Vallée
4.8Albepierre-Bredons · Cantal
116 reviews
Séréni'thé à Aurillac
4.8Aurillac · Cantal
51 reviews
Écrin d'Auvergne
5.0Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal · Cantal
542 reviews
Folie des Sens
4.8Saint-Flour · Cantal
644 reviews