Forgotten Auvergne

Auvergne in Central France is much overlooked. But this rural region is well worth a visit with its splendid landscapes.

The Auvergne region comprises the 4 departments of Allier, Puy de Dome, Cantal and Haute Loire.

The region contains many volcanoes, although the last confirmed eruption was around 6,000 years ago. They began forming some 70,000 years ago, and most have eroded away leaving plugs of unerupted hardened magma that form rounded hilltops known as puys.

In the region surrounding Clermont-Ferrand, the highest mountain is 1,885m (6,180 ft). From north to south, with a small ascent around the Plateau de Millevaches (978m/3,200 ft) the terrain becomes flatter and rockier. The Auvergne is 25 per cent woodland, 45 per cent grassland, 20 per cent arable land and 10 per cent other uses (including urban areas).

Sparsely populated, the Auvergne boasts a fine natural and cultural heritage, including beautiful valleys, large expanses of coniferous forests, and spectacular hillscapes. It is a region much appreciated by ramblers and nature lovers, as well as by people in search of a holiday far from the madding crowd.

References:
Auvergne Tourism
Auvergne Property

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