Things to do in Auvergne

Campsites In Auvergne

Situated in the centre of France is the mountainous region of Auvergne. Its lack of coastline is more than compensated for by stunning scenery and natural wonders. 

Getting there

Driving is by far the easiest way to reach Auvergne. It's about a 7 hours drive from Calais or 4 hours from Paris. There are no direct flights to this area from the UK as yet.

Sightseeing

As the first populated area of France, Auvergne is steeped in history. An abundance of castles and chateaux can be found across the region's four departments of Allier, Puy de Dome, Haute Loire and Cantal.

There are many beautiful medieval churches scattered around the region, some of the best examples being Notre Dame du Port in Clermont Ferrand, Eglise Saint Austremoine at Issoire and Notre Dame d'Orcival. The abbey at La Chaise-Dieu is home to the famous Dance of Death fresco. The small churches of the Haut Allier are also decorated with murals and frescoes. 

The capital of the region, Clermont Ferrand, is a beautiful city well worth a visit. Many of the attractions are also great photo opportunities, including the old city, the Roger Quillot Art Museum and a trip to the top of the Puy de Dome Mountain.

There are various concerts and festivals throughout the year which are quite spectacular. Planning your trip to coincide with one of these would be a real treat.

Families

There are many activities in Auvergne that you can participate in as a family. If you have an older family, kayaking on the Haut Allier and the Loire is a lot of fun. A hot air balloon trip over the volcanoes is a once in a lifetime experience that will result in amazing photos. There are many walking trails where you can really appreciate the landscape, as well as mountain bike trails to give children a sense of adventure. 

With many lakes in the region, sailing is another good pastime. Two of the best areas for this are at Bort les Orgues and Lake Lavalette near Yssingeaux.

Near Clermont Ferrand is the Vulcania theme park where visitors can learn all about volcanoes, earthquakes and other natural earth forces through 3D cinema and IMAX. There is also lots of fun to be had at the La Pal amusement park.

Adults

This region has become number one for cheese making, with the most famous being the blue cheese Bleu D'Auvergne. There are plenty of demonstrations and samplings to enjoy throughout the area.

Dotted around Auvergne are some very small vineyards where grapes are grown for local or personal use only. These are fascinating to walk around and watch wine being made in the traditional way.

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