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Auvergne, France tourist information

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)

- 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)

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)

One particular non-natural highlight of the region is Le Puy en Velay - a lovely town in the heart of the Auvergne region.

Visit also the town at Brioude.

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)

- 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 - travel information

Places to visit in Auvergne - more information

To see a larger map which shows places to visit in Auvergne in more detail (castles, classified most beautiful villages etc) see Map of Auvergne. (Also includes a full alphabetical list of all places in Auvergne in France This Way.)

See also Auvergne (version Francais)