HIGHLIGHTS

Catch a cable car to the peak of the Puy-de-Sancy
Gaze at the glorious Gothic cathedral at Moulins
Paraglide over the giant chains of extinct volcanoes
Visit Vichy and enjoy the water sports on the huge lake in the middle of town
Hike your way along the well sign-posted routes of this classic walking region
Explore the Romanesque church at Clermont-Ferrand

Auvergne

For the most part Auvergne is best known for its breathtaking mountain ranges and volcanic peaks which when climbed offer views of a lunar type landscape pitted with huge craters. Three giant volcanoes, the Puy de Sancy, the Banne d’Ordanche and the Puy de l’Aiguiller make up the Monts Dore. These dark green, densely wooded mountains are patchworked with rivers and lakes which make perfect locations for hiking, paragliding, canoeing and sailing. The Puy-de-Sancy 1886m is the highest point in Central France and can be reached by cable car.

Clermont-Ferrand is a lively commercial centre in the region and is home to one of the most important Romanesque churches in the area, the Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port. Another celebrated sight that can be found at nearby Moulins is the superb Gothic Cathedrale Notre-Dame, with its kaleidoscope of colours set in the 15th and 16th century stained glass windows.

Located on the Alliers river is the small city of Vichy, which has been well documented for its reputed cures for rheumatism, arthritis and digestive complaints. The hot and cold springs with their healing properties were popular with French nobility and the world’s wealthy middle classes.