Auvergne

Auvergne is a historical land and administrative region in the centre of France. It is composed of 4 “départements”: Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme and its county town is Clermont-Ferrand.
This city has very beautiful historical monuments such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral built in 1248 out of black volcanic rocks - you will see this characteristic monument from far away. It dominates the city with its 96 meters high twin towers. Clermont-Ferrand is an excellent starting point to explore the region and its paths.

For history and architecture lovers Auvergne will be as heaven. One will discover medieval castles, churches and palaces from the Renaissance.

From the bird's eye perspective it’s hard to believe that it one is at the heart of Europe. The volcanoes are thrilling: spread on 4000km² and at least on 120km there seem endless. From the largest to the smallest, with their round craters, some are covered with trees and shrubs, others are completely naked. Some rise in the middle of villages others are grouping in Auvergne’s prairies.

The Puy-de-Dôme (the legend says it was the place where the witches met) is the highest volcano with 1465m. He is covered by trees with deciduous leaves gleaming in red, orange and brown at sunrise. Here and there appears golden or bright yellow taints. The pale rose clouds flowing over the peaks look like smoke. The volcanoes seem to breathe as when there were in eruption ten thousand years ago.

From the top of the Puy-de-Dôme one can see 80 volcanic cones on 30km. Between them one can see fields and pastures in green and yellow, fruit trees, coniferous and hardwood forests. The less high volcanoes are covered by grass. In spring and summer they are green and red in autumn.

One may admire the landscape from the main roads but it is better to take secondary roads where on will discover the volcanic landscape in its full beauty and the picturesque villages build in volcanic rock.

The Auvergne is beautiful throughout the whole year but one will see the widest range of colours in autumn. Especially at sunrise when sky, clouds, rocks, grass and leaves have the most interesting nuances.

The Auvergne awaits its visitors with his dormant volcanoes, its enchanting peaks, smelling forests, its peaceful villages and its castles rising among colourful trees.

Those who want to experience unusual impressions should absolutely visit this magnificent region. There is no other place with this majesty be it in Europe or in the world.