Auvergne The Auvergne is the ancient province which corresponds to the départements of Allier (03), Cantal (15), Haute-Loire (43) and Puy-de-Dôme (63) at the heart of the aptly named Massif Central area of central France. The region is made up of many different types of landscape, with breathtaking scenery - mountains, precipitous gorges, tumbling streams, many lakes and extensive wild forests ... and many extinct volcanoes, up to heights of 1,885m (6,180ft) around Clermont-Ferrand, the capital city of the region. There are numerous medicinal and hot springs which serve the many thermal spas such as La Bourboule and Mont-Dore etc. The volcanoes have given rise to a theme park with a guided tour into an extinct volcano crater, explaining their origins around 20 million years ago. The most well-known and impressive of the volcanic cones (called "puys") is the Puy de Dôme close to Clermont-Ferrand. The puys are used as take-off points for hang-gliding and paragliding ("parapente" in french), with ideal thermals between the hills. The two national parks in the region are known as the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne and the Parc Naturel Régional du Livradois-Forez. The area is famous for it's wildflowers, cascades, chateaux and medieval villages with romanesque churches - many of which are home to enigmatic Black Madonnas. Water is an important element in the region - the mighty Dordogne river rises at le Mont Dore, to feed many lakes as it winds it's way seaward. Indeed the thermal spas including those at La Bourboule, Mont Dore and Chaudes Aigues are renowed for their therapeutic qualities, with patients from all parts of Europe being referred by their physicians to take the cure. There are myriad facilities for water sports as well as fishing, swimming, riding, walking, hang-gliding, climbing... plus skiing in winter at the stations de ski at Super Besse and Le Lioran. The many footpaths through the mountains and forests are well way-marked for walking and mountain biking ("VTT" in french). There are also several long-distance routes for horse-riding too, including overnight stop-over points. Several ski resorts cater for all kinds of skiing, and cross-country skiing is particularly good. Most snow falls between January and March. The cultural tradition is very much alive, with much traditional custom, music and song. Champs sur Tarentaine is well-known for it's heritage of traditional music and fiddle playing, hosting two traditional music festivals each year - (Easter and September) Auvergne cheeses such as Cantal, St Nectaire, Tôme d'Auvergne and Bleu d'Auvergne are renowned worldwide.
Selected Bibliography
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