AUVERGNE TOURIST INFORMATION

Tourist information about the individual Auvergne departments of Allier, Puy-de-Dome, Cantal and Haute-Loire can be found through every property details page along with tourist information about the local towns, tourist attractions and information about events happening in Auvergne.

AUVERGNE TOURISM

Set in the centre of France lies the Massif Central, a large, rugged plateau of ancient granite and hardened lava, punctuated by volcanic peaks and deep river gorges. This is the region of the Auvergne, a land of stunning, natural beauty and dramatic landscapes, located midway between Paris and the Mediterranean.

To the west, in the national regional park of the Volcans d'Auvergne is the Puy de Sancy, the highest point (1896m) in the Massif Central.

To the east, the regional park of Livradois Forez covers an area of woodland climbing in graduated terraces. The regional capital Clermont-Ferrand is 32km north of Issoire by the A75 and the departments of the Cantal and Haute-Loire are 30km to the south.

Inhabited since prehistoric times, regional artifacts suggest that the Celts lived here as early as 400 BC. Today, the Auvergne boasts some of the most beautiful Romanesque churches, medieval castles, and Renaissance palaces in France. The first cathedral to be built in present-day Clermont-Ferrand was erected by Saint Namace around 450 AD, and rebuilt in the Gothic style at the beginning of the thirteenth century. In the medieval town of Montpeyroux, one of the most beautiful villages in France, artisans can be found practicing their ancient crafts in the fortress tower.

Come and try out the local shops in the little streets and squares with their yellow, blue, pink and green houses on the circular boulevard. In the cheese shops you will find the 4 A.O.C. cheeses of Auvergne: St-Nectaire, Bleu, Cantal and Fourme d'Ambert. In the pastry shops are bilberry and raspberry tarts, the Supreme of Issoire and apple pies to tempt anyone with a sweet tooth. Grocers and wine-merchants will persuade you to try a Côte d'Auvergne produced near Issoire.

A major natural monument in the Auvergne is Puy de Dôme, an extinct volcano that rises 1,465 meters (4,807 feet), providing breathtaking views of the Puy mountain chain and the green plains below. A winding road takes visitors to the peak, where remains of the Roman Temple of Mercury can still be seen. On this site in 1648 Blaise Pascal performed his famous experiment on the weight of air.

From Upper Auvergne to the Land of the Bourbons, from the green plains to the summits of the volcanoes, Auvergne consists of six harmonious areas that lie contentedly side by side.

In Southeast Auvergne, water splashes and cascades in the Gorges de l'Allier and on Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc, the flora and fauna are at home in a "chlorophyll" garden to the delight of all lovers of sports in the great outdoors.

History can be found in the villages, Romanesque churches and châteaux. Faith follows in the footsteps of the pilgrims who headed for Santiago de Compostela.

The area is a paradise of outdoor activities, including skiing, bird watching, rafting, biking, golfing, hiking, and hang-gliding. Lakes Guéry, Aydat, Pavin, and Chambon provide excellent facilites for water sports such as canoeing, fishing, swimming, and sailing.

The Monts de la Margeride look out over the landscapes of granite, moors and dense woods. The infamous Beast of Gévaudan once terrorised the area.

In the West of the Auvergne, the Volcanoes seem to rise up to meet you. The Massif Cantalien, the Monts Dore and the Chaîne des Puys form the most imposing volcanic group in Europe. The Chaîne des Puys is a spine studded with 80 dormant volcanoes, the Monts Dore have massive sheer cliffs and the Massif Cantalien gives you the impression of what infinity may be like.

In Eastern Auvergne, in Livradois and Forez, nature shows many faces (pine forests on the Monts du Forez and granite plateaux in the Livradois area). Man's talents have given rise to a wide range of arts and crafts, such as the cutlery works in Thiers.

Renowned for its cheeses, widely-available selections include the blue cheeses Fourme d'Ambert and Bleu d'Auvergne, as well as Cantal, Salers, and St-Nectaire. Local dishes include pounti, a soufflé-like creation composed of ham, eggs, vegetables, and cream.