Auvergne, France travel guide
The Auvergne is part of the central (non-coastal) part of France, in the centre of the Massif Central. It is largely an isolated region of mountains, and dramatically rugged countryside and rocky gorges. Clermont-Ferrand is the capital of the region.
The departments in Auvergne are: Puy de Dome, Haute Loire, Cantal, Allier
Places to visit in Auvergne
It is the countryside, the scenery and the villages that are of most interest in the region. There are not a huge number of important towns to see.
The countryside is perhaps best known for the forested volcanic landscape, especially around the 'epicentre' of the region for scenery - the Natural Regional Park of the Volcanoes of the Auvergne.
Some of the other places to visit in the Auvergne are shown below. Because of the mountainous rugged nature of the region you are unlikely to visit all the highlights of the during one two week holiday - roads between two places that look quite close on the map can be much further apart by road than you expect!
Much of the region is difficult to get to during the winter - there is a lot of snow, due to its altitude. The region has in recent years starting to gain popularity as a year around destination, based on river and mountain activities, and helped by improved communication and transport links to the region.
The Allier river crosses much of the region, and a particular highlight is to follow the Allier gorges, as the river passes through some magnificent scenery.
Cantal (south-west Auvergne)
- towns at Aurillac and at Saint-Flour, a cathedral town in the Cantal
- 42 km north of Aurillac is the most beautiful village at
Salers, while
another is found at
Tournemire,
15 km to the north of Aurillac
Puy de Dome (central Auvergne)
Clermont-Ferrand is in the Puy-de-Dome department.
Highlights of the natural park of Auvergne volcanoes include the Monts-Dome, Monts-Dore and Cantal mountains. See also Chaine des Puys and the central volcano of the range (and very popular visitor attraction) at Puy-de-Dome. To the east of the volcanoes is the Natural Regional Park Livradois-Forez.
Visit also the town of Ambert, and the workaday town of Issoire, and to the north-west of the town, the Chateau de Murol and Saint Nectaire.
A little way from Clermont-Ferrand is Riom (and the neighbouring spa town at Volvic and the abbey at Mozac)
Also in Puy-de-Dome are Montpeyroux, Saint-Saturnin, Saint-Floret and Usson, each classified as most beautiful villages in France. The village of Chateldon is also a very attractive destination, and Thiers (famous for Thiers knives and cutlery) has an attractive historical centre.
The towns at La Bourboule and Mont-Dore have long been popular ski centres and spa centres, east of Orcival and its reputed church.
See also our guide to the Puy-de-Dome department.
Haute Loire (south-east Auvergne)
One particular highlight of the region is Le Puy en Velay - a lovely town in the heart of the Auvergne region, which as a long-standing starting point for pilgrims has an impressive selection of interesting historical monuments. Probably the 'not to miss' town of the Auvergne!
While at Le-Puy-en-Velay take the time for side trips to Polignac, and also the Cascade de la Beaume (near Solignac).
Visit also the town at Brioude to see the basilica.
Several classified villages are found in Haute-Loire including Lavaudieu, Blesle, Arlempdes and Pradelles
See also our guest article about the Haute Loire
Allier (north Auvergne)
- Vichy (home of the Vichy Government during the Second World War) is to the north of the Auvergne region, as are Souvigny and Moulins.
- the classified village at Charroux is located 20km north-west of Vichy
Visit Auvergne - tourist information
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Places to visit in Auvergne, France: a local travel guideUse the map of Auvergne to see the location of selected places and to continue to explore... Place: |
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See also Auvergne (version Francais)
