Millenia of volcanic activity and glacial erosion forged the landscape of Auvergne and gave it the character and the power which make it a unique place in Europe. The landscapes, made of volcanoes, crater lakes, deep valleys and large prairies , are breathtaking, changing with the clouds and the seasons. Many Roman churches, castles and monasteries testify to a l rich and glorious past. So wherever your tastes and your interests lay, you'll have plenty to visit from the Village of Estives.
The lanscape:Lakes and Volcanoes: Numerous lakes are very close from the Village: Godivelle High and Low, MontCineyre, Bourdouze, Lac Pavin , Chauvet ,La Landie, Crégut and farther to the Sancy: Chambon, Guéry, Servière,  Aydat . Each has a peculiar beauty and for most of them a trail follows the water edge.   AuvergneVolcanoes : Plomb du Cantal (1855m),  Mont Dore with Sancy (1885m) and the youngest (less than 10000 years) from the Dômes, on a  30km line, 112 volcanoes, one after the other, you can even drive to the top of the tallest  Puy de Dôme (1465m) ,(toll road). And last, from february 2002 you could spend a day at Vulcania, the European Center of Vulcanology, located in Clermont-Ferrand at 90km.
The Cantal is full of special features natural or man made, a complete list is included (in French) Sites à visiter , mountains, waterfalls, lakes and reservoirs, churches, castles and museum.   Contact:  lac.estives@free.fr      Tel:(33)-4 71 78 84 65  for calling from outside France