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Auvergne travel guide
Visit Auvergne: Auvergne Gites : Auvergne Hotels : car hire
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
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. Highlights of the natural park of Auvergne volcanoes include the Monts-Dome, Monts-Dore and Cantal mountains. See also Chaine des Puys.
Further to the east is the Natural Regional Park Livradois-Forez.
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.
One particular non-natural highlight of the region is Le Puy en Velay - a lovely town in the heart of the Auvergne region.
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 in the Auvergne - those you will come across according to where you are based include
- Ambert
- Aurillac
- Brioude
- Issoire, and to the north-west of the town, the Chateau de Murol and Saint Nectaire.
- Riom (and the neighbouring spa town at Volvic and the abbey at Mozac)
- Saint-Flour (cathedral town in the Cantal),
- Vichy (home of the Vichy Government during the Second World War) is to the north of the Auvergne region, as are Souvigny and Moulins.
Most Beautiful villages
Salers (Allier) - 42 km N Aurillac Salers
Montpeyroux (Puy-de-Dome) Montpeyroux
Lavaudieu (Haute-Loire) Lavaudieu
Arlempdes (Haute-Loire) Arlempdes
Pradelles (Haute-Loire) Pradelles
Tournemire - 15 km N of Aurillac Tournemire
Most beautiful villages not covered in this guide:
CHARROUX - 20km NW of Vichy
BLESLE - 15 km W of Brioude
SAINT-FLORET - 25 km S of Clermont-Ferrand
SAINT-SATURNIN - 15 km S of Clermont-Ferrand
USSON - 7 km SE of Issoire
See also: Car Hire in Vichy
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Visit Auvergne - travel information
If you are planning Auvergne holidays or vacation you will find all you need on the France This Way site, including Auvergne gites, hotels and car hire:
- car hire
- France camping holidays in Auvergne
