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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.

Puy de Dome (central)

Highlights of the natural park of Auvergne volcanoes include the Monts-Dome, Monts-Dore and Cantal mountains. See also Chaine des Puys. To the east of the volcanoes is the Natural Regional Park Livradois-Forez.

- the town of Ambert

- 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)

- also in Puy-de-Dome are Montpeyroux, Saint-Saturnin, Usson and Saint-Floret, each classified as most beautiful villages in France

 

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.

Photo by calips is copyright

- the town at Brioude

- several classified villages are found in Haute-Loire including Lavaudieu, Blesle, Arlempdes and Pradelles

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

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

Map of Auvergne, France