Walking - The Auvergne is a perfect region for walking at all levels. Vast open mountains and green plateaux are the hallmark of the region. Around the central city of Clermont-Ferrand, volcanoes and hills sprinkled with lakes, forests, rivers and peat bogs are home to two regional nature parks. Separated by the River Allier, the Volcanoes of the Auvergne and the Livradois-Forez, Regional Nature Parks run parallel to each other and between them offer protection to some of the Auvergne’s most beautiful countryside and richest natural sites.
Water sports - Canoeing, Swimming, White Water Rafting. The Allier, The Alongnon, and the Loire rivers all run through the region. If the pace is too fast for you it's easy to find the perfect spot on the riverbank to picnic, read a book and sip a glass of wine.
Spas and Water therapies – The Auvergne Region is home to ten spa towns. The curative properties of the natural hot mineral springs have been used for centuries, and today’s thermal resorts are centres for recuperation and calm. At Le Mont-Dore, part of the spa centre is a classified historical monument, having wonderful neo-Byzantine architecture. The most famous spa, Vichy, lies to the north-east of Clermont-Ferrand and is worth visiting for its elegant architecture from the Second Empire and the Belle Epoque..
Action Sports - If climbing is your thing, there are over fifty equipped sites ranging from level 2 to 8b in difficulty. Sailing and windsurfing are possible on most lakes, the rivers offer canoeing; and hot-air balloon trips, simply let the vast panoramas unfold below. In the winter snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing are also available. The list goes on………..call us or look on the tourist office website link on the Links page to see what’s on offer at a particular time of year.
Fishing -There are miles of beautiful riverbanks, also public and private lakes to fish.
Local History - From the 9th century, Romanesque art began to make its presence felt in the Auvergne, and today over 500 churches in the region display the rounded arches and vaults typical of the period. The only intact Romanesque cloister at Lavaudieu abbey, and the recently restored mini-church at Glaine-Montaigut are of special note, particularly for their religious wall-paintings. Thiers, Arlanc, Issoire and Billom are all home to magnificent churches, while even village churches are worth a visit. The imposing abbey at La Chaise-Dieu offers a contrast with its Gothic style. Whilst a statue of the Gallic chieftain Vercingétorix in the Place de Jaude and the dark, soaring Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, are two of Clermont-Ferrand’s main attractions, along with it’s bustle of commerce and nightlife it offers a striking contrast to the surrounding Auvergne..
Wine Trails - The Auvergne's wine region has the appellation VDQS, Vin Delimite de Qualite Superiour, it includes Saint-Pourçain, Châteaugay, Madargues, Boudes or Corent. The Cotes D'Auvergne wine badly damaged in the late 1800's by phylloxera has made a great comeback and the wine trail around the region is worth travelling. Most wine caves will offer tasting of wines from all over France.
Cheeses - Another specilaity of the region, are it’s cheeses. The Auvergne is the only region of France to boast four A.O.C cheese labels
- St Nectaire
- BLEU d'Auvergne
- Cantal
- Fourme d' Ambert
Please contact us for further details on local wine & gourmand festivals
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