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Holidays in Auvergne France, Holiday rentals Self Catering Gites, Ski Chalets, Chateaux and Villas
AUVERGN REGION
The Auvergne is situated in central France at the heart of the Massif Central. It is about three hours south of Paris and two hours from Lyon. The least populated part of France, it is famous for its wide open spaces containing lakes and forests and the largest group of volcanoes in Europe. This area includes over five hundred Romanesque churches and fifty chateaux. In addition it boasts its famous mineral waters, spas and hot springs.
Towns and Cities
The regional capital is Clermont Ferrand, full of museums art galleries and wonderful churches including the gothic majesty of The Cathedral of Notre Dame de l’Assomption. Clermont Ferrand is the home of Michelin and also offers great shopping opportunities. Of course a trip to the thermal spa town of Vichy is a must with its lovely parks and shady streets and as the Auvergne is the land of the Dukes of Bourbon there are many chateaux to visit, one of the most spectacular being at the town of l’Archambault. Many towns are famous for their crafts such as lace in Puy en Velay, enamelled lava and stone sculptures in Volvic and cutlery in Thiers.
Activities
The Auvergne has activities for winter and summer with downhill and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in winter and a multitude of activities in the summer months. Along the tourist routes there is hiking, horse riding, mountain biking as well as swimming, canoeing and hang gliding. There is also Vulcania, a theme park based on – you’ve guessed it- volcanoes! The Auvergne can add to this a safari park, cable cars, scenic railways and several festivals including a classical music festival in August.
Food and Drink
Think simple peasant type cuisine and you have the main character of the Auvergne. Main dishes are hearty with plenty of pork, cabbage and potatoes. Speciality dishes include Potee Auvergnate – using vegetables,bacon, pork and sausage, Truffade – a potato and cheese dish and Pounti - pork and prune meatloaf . Locally caught fish is also good as is also the wonderful array of cheeses to choose from to finish your meal. These include Saint Nectaire, Cantal, Salers, Fourme d’Ambert and of course Bleu d’Auvergne. For your wine choose from Saint Pourcain, Chateaugay, Mardargues, Boudes and Corent.
Climate
The Auvergne has continental type climate with short hot summers and wet and cold winters in the mountain regions. The average summer temperature is eighteen degrees in summer and three point five in winter. Average sunshine is 1,907 hours per year.
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