Auvergne Tourist Board

Auvergne
Access:
§ By train from Paris: 8 daily trains connecting Paris to Clermont-Ferrand in 3 hours
§ Direct flights from London to Limoges and Lyon
§ 4 hours drive from Paris
Main cities: Clermont-Ferrand , Vichy , Le Puy en Velay and Aurillac.
5 reasons to visit Auvergne
§ With such volcanic energy, the waters in Auvergne are abound in minerals - do not miss legendary
Vichy, Volvic or Chaudes Aigues, the spa town with the warmest water in Europe.
§ The Puy de Dôme: A visit to the top of the Puy de Dôme is unforgettable with its breathtaking
view of over 80 domes and craters.
§ Vulcania: Auvergne’s theme park that celebrates volcanoes and is a great place to visit a crater,
experience an earthquake and learn about geology whilst having fun. Le Pal: the only European park
to combine an animal park with a theme park. There are over 26 attractions for the entire family and
500 animals from 5 continents.
§ A paradise for rambling: If you enjoy rambling, you are going to love Auvergne. Majestic and
varied countryside, diverse routes including those ideal for family outings. Welcoming guesthouses
allow visitors to combine multiple routes meaning trips can last several days. Auvergne has turned
walking into a way of life.
§ A rich cultural heritage: Auvergne’s many castles and chateaux are the guardians of history and
witnesses to turbulent times. Some stand out proudly in the surrounding landscape while others are
hidden away. Today they host exhibitions, concerts, re-enactments or simply provide guest rooms. All
leave visitors with dreams to remember.
Auvergne Tourist Board
7, allée Pierre de Fermat
CS 50502 – 63178 Aubière Cedex
+33 (0)473 294 949
www.auvergne-tourisme.info
In the heart of France and far away from the
hustle and bustle of everyday life, the Auvergne
region features breathtaking landscapes and
makes an ideal setting for “green tourism”. Rich
cultural heritage has left Romanesque churches
and stunning castles.

SHORT BREAKS
The regional capital of Clermont Ferrand is formed from the two ancient towns of Clermont and Montferrand
and is located at the foot of the Puy de Dôme. www.clermond-fd.com
Le Puy en Velay in Haute Loire is one of France’s most extraordinary places. Set in a stunning natural environment,
this town alone makes a journey to Auvergne worthwhile. www.ot-lepuyenvelay.fr
ACTIVE HOLIDAYS
The Auvergne volcanoes, a walker’s paradise.
Spend an afternoon, a day or a weekend exploring the heart of Auvergne’s volcano country.
Stevenson’s path
Follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson by crossing the Cévennes, as he did originally on a donkey.
ACCOMMODATION
Lovers of large spaces will be quite satisfied in “Château d’Ygrande”, this XIXth century magnificent castle
overlooking the Bourbonnais Bocage. You will appreciate a 40 ha park; a swimming pool near the orchard, a
luxurious vegetable garden and a terrace to enjoy the view of the woods and the Bourbon country.
www.chateauygrande.fr
Find a multitude of charming accommodations all around the Auvergne region with LES LOGIS DE FRANCEwww.logis-de-france.fr/uk/region/auvergne.htm
CULTURAL
A rich and remarkable Romanesque heritage
Some 250 religious buildings were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries. Auvergne’s architecture
developed later than northern France, meaning the area has been left with many large and high quality
Romanesque buildings. Five of these, located around Clermont-Ferrand, are know as the “major churches”
because of the uniform style of their architecture.
GASTRONOMY
Auvergne has five AOP cheeses and many local varieties. The fifty stages of the “Route des fromages AOP”
(AOP cheese road), taking you around Cantal and Puy de Dôme on horseback, go from Auvergne blue cheese
to Saint Nectaire and Cantal, as well as Fourme d’Ambert and Salers. You can also learn about the region’s
cheese making tradition.
ITINERARIES
An organisation called “La Route Historique des Châteaux d’Auvergne” has created six specially designed routes
that feature fifty of the region’s historic châteaux.
For example, the Chateau de Saturnin is now open to a privileged few, who can enjoy its impressive size or the
charm of its guestrooms, access to all of which, is through the court of honour. www.chateaudesaintsaturnin.com
Auvergne can boast 11 out of the 150 most beautiful villages of France. Stroll in their narrow streets and dawdle
in their historic squares. Enjoy the simple charms of a stone roof, a renaissance gate, a wash house or even just
a reflection in a window. In these villages, visitor will have the opportunity to discover a real “art of living” with
arts and crafts.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS
Vulcania leisure park
Live the Earth adventure in a unique environment at the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes regional natural park.
Vulcania has more than thirty spectacular activities through which visitors can learn about volcanology, earth
sciences and the forces of nature. www.vulcania.com
WELLBEING
For 15 years, some spa towns like Vichy with the VICHY THERMAL SPA LES CELESTINS and Châtel- Guyon with
the INSTITUT BIEN-ETRE have made the choice to build centres entirely dedicated to the well-being.
All the spa towns of Auvergne are members of “Route des Villes d’Eaux du Massif Central” - Tour of Spa Towns
from the Massif Central - a tourist operator that gathers 17 spa towns from 8 geographic department and 4
regions in the Massif Central mountain range. Its goal is to change the image of the spa resorts and, from the
"Villes d'Eaux du Massif Central" (Water Cities of the Massif Central)" concept, shape up this territory into a
model of sustainable development built around new ideas, talents, reception, modernity and quality.