Auvergne is one of France’s hidden treasures, a region of hills and mountains, valleys, forests and rivers, a region where – except for the regional capital, Clermont Ferrand – the hustle of city life is something unknown, and time seems to move at a slower and much more agreeable pace…..
The mountains of Auvergne, which culminate in rocky peaks at over 1700m / 7000 feet, are the backbone of France’s Massif Central. This area of highland is the largest volcanic area in Europe. As the experts stress, the volcanoes are dormant… though not extinct. There is plenty of volcanic activity going on deep below the ground, as is still seen by the hot springs at Chaudes Aigues in the Cantal, where the water comes out of the ground at a temperature of 82°C, the hottest springs in Europe. Nonetheless, there is little reason for alarm, as there has been no volcanic activity in Auvergne for over 7000 years. Traces of the volcanic past are however to be seen throughout the region, not just in the form of the volcanoes themselves, but in the numerous lava flows, volcanic plugs – often capped with castles – and sets of “organ rocks” that form one of the region’s remarkable geological features.
While the northern end of the province stretches up the Loire and Allier valleys towards the low-lying Centre of France, most of the southern part of the region is hilly or mountainous, with large stretches of land lying at over 1000 metres (over 3000 ft). These uplands are penetrated by the valleys of many rivers, most notably the Loire and the Allier which both rise in the south of the Auvergne.
Sparsely populated, the Auvergne boasts a fine natural and cultural heritage, including beautiful valleys, large expanses of coniferous forests, and spectacular hillscapes. It is a region much appreciated by ramblers and nature lovers, as well as by people in search of a holiday far from the madding crowd.
It is a region rich in history too, with a fine collection of historic dungeons and castles, as well as some of the finest romanesque churches in France, many with frescoes. The small city of Le Puy, famous for its lace-making and UNESCO listed cathedral, is one of the most unusual cities in France, due to the rocky pinnacles that stick up in the middle of it.
Other interesting towns to visit in Auvergne include the “art and history” city of Brioude, the French knife-making capital of Thiers, the genteel spa town of Vichy, and the capital of “High Auvergne” Saint Flour, among others
Of course there are modern attractions too, including a safari park, the Vulcania theme park (illustrating the story of Auvergne’s extinct volcanoes, and including 3-D cinema and IMAX), scenic railway lines, cable cars to the peaks of the highest mountains, kayaking and rafting facilities, mountain bike tracks, and much more. The Auvergne Wildlife Park at Ardes sur Couze, near Issoire, is also worth a visit.
Three main rivers have their headwaters in the Auvergne: the Loire, the Allier and the Dordogne.
Clermont Ferrand, Auvergne’s capital city, is a university city of some 200,000 inhabitants, and the home of the Michelin Tyre Company. It is a busy shopping centre, with plenty of cultural life