Auvergne is a beautiful but extremely remote region in France which is relatively undiscovered even today.
Auvergne is the volcanic core which circumvents almost the whole of the Massif Central. Volcanic activity started in this region about 20 million years ago which makes the mountains here much older than the Pyrénées and the Alps. The Puy de Dome has volcanoes that are just 5000 years old making them the youngest and there are lots of other extinct ones that together form the mysterious but beautiful landscape of the region. The area is dotted with lakes, streams, rivers, gorges and geysers, cold mineral springs and hot springs, and huge dense forests.
The place is on the tourist map because of the healing properties of the hot springs. People come from far and wide to get rid of digestive ailments, arthritis and rheumatism. But this region is surprisingly lightly populated. Currently, the number of deaths outnumbers the number of births so the population continues to fall in what is already the least populated region in France. Summers are long and warm in
Auvergne but the higher altitudes remain cold enough to provide skiing almost throughout the year.
If you are looking for reasonably-priced property, then this is the least expensive place in all of France. Life is slow here but if you are the type who can leave behind the world of restaurants and museums and you are a keen outdoor enthusiast, then this is the place for you. You'll find superlative fishing, surfing, sailing and swimming, what with so many lakes and the rivers Allier and Sioule have kayaking and white water rafting as well as ballooning and paragliding for the really adventurous.
Arable land is in short supply so most of the agriculture takes place in the upland pasture. The rich volcanic soil allows the region's famous Puy lentils to grow very well and 60% of the lentil production in France comes from this region.
Auvergne cuisine is noted for its potée auvergnate, a soup-like stew of pork and cabbage with onions, turnips, leeks, potatoes, and garlic, as well as truffade which mixes mashed potatoes with cheese, bacon and garlic.
Auvergne produces a considerable variety, such as the famous firm, sharp tasting bleu d'
Auvergne blue cheese best enjoyed with a young ruby red Côtes d'
Auvergne wine.
Le Puy-en-Velay has weird and wonderful volcanic skyscrapers and the landscape is dominated by the gigantic craters of Puy de Dome. The region’s commercial center is
Clermont-Ferrand. The black buildings are made of volcanic rock. Vichy is the most popular spa town here and the name is familiar the world over.
St Étienne, close to
Auvergne is well connected by air, road and rail.
In Allier you find the earlier Bourbon Dukes’ capital, Moulins which remains an important trading centre. Château Lapalisse and Château de Thoury made of pink sandstone can be found in the Besbre valley. Cantal is home to the theatre festival of Aurillac held in August. At a height of 1,700 meters is Puy Mary overlooking the Cantal volcano making it a superb picnic spot. Haute-Loire is a Romanesque cloister where the streets spill over with geraniums in the warmer months. The three volcanic peaks are unique as they have monuments and churches decorating them in Puy en Velay.
