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Auvergne
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Every Francophile has heard of the Auvergne but not that many know
exactly where it is. It was hoped that Vulcania, a proposed scientific
theme park, would finally put the region on the map in 2001 but
its opening date has been put back to 2002.
The Auvergne is the volcanic core of the country gobbling up most
of the vast tranche of the central plateau of the Massif Central.
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Sarlat market
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Clermont-Ferrand is the region’s commercial centre with its distinctive
black buildings made from volcanic rock.
Vichy still reigns today as the queen of all spa towns, though its name
may still be familiar from its WWII associations. Puy en Velay with its
lava peaks is a strange sight and the massive craters of Puy de Dôme
dominate the landscape.
Flights to nearby St Etienne make the region easily accessible for a
short break.
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Belle époque splendour at Vichy draws torrents of visitors
keen to take the waters
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Former Bourbon Dukes’ capital Moulins is still important
as a trading centre
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Besbre valley includes Château Lapalisse and the pink
sandstone Château de Thoury
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Aurillac’s theatre festival in August is a continental
Edinburgh fringe
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Renaissance Salers with beautifully preserved turreted houses
carved from local lava
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Puy Mary at over 1,700 metres looks over the Cantal volcano
and is a great picnic spot
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The romanesque cloister and streets in unspoilt medieval Lavadieu
overflow with geraniums in summer
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Monuments and churches adorn the three volcanic peaks in Puy
en Velay
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Parade of the "black Madonna" (carved from cedar)
on 15 August
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Clermont-Ferrand is the ville noire with buildings made of
black volcanic rock – including the cathedral
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Medieval quarter in Clermont-Ferrand reminiscent of Edinburgh
back streets
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The massive Puy de Dôme has stunning views across the
extinct volcanoes
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