Auvergne is a French region located in the heart of the Massif Central. It comprises 4 departments: Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire, and Puy-de-Dôme. It spans nearly 26,000 km² and is home to about 1,300,000 inhabitants, known as the Auvergnats.
Auvergne is also renowned for being a volcanic and mountainous region, with its highest point being Puy de Sancy (1,886 m). The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park is the largest natural park in mainland France. It spans two departments (Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme) and includes 5 natural regions: the Dômes mountains (the Chaîne des Puys), the Dore mountains, the Cantal mountains, and the Artense and Cézallier plateaus.
A rich heritage
Auvergne boasts a very rich historical heritage. It is home to numerous castles where the Dukes of Bourbon, Queen Margot, Napoleon III, and many others once lived. Among the most famous castles are the Château de Bourbon-l'Archambault, the Château de la Roche, and the Château de Parentignat. Here are some of the most renowned towns in Auvergne:
- Allier: Moulins, Montluçon, Vichy…
- Cantal: Aurillac, Mauriac, Saint-Flour…
- Haute-Loire: Brioude, Le Puy-en-Velay, Yssingeaux…
- Puy-de-Dôme: Ambert, Issoire, Riom, Thiers, Clermont-Ferrand…
Auvergne also has many charming villages: Arfeuilles, Arlempdes, Blesle, Charroux, Hérisson, Lavaudieu, Marcolès, Montpeyroux, Moudeyres, Murat, Noyant-d'Allier, Saint-Arcons-d'Allier, Saint-Floret, Saint-Saturnin, Salers, Tournemire, Usson…
Wildlife and Flora in Auvergne
Nature lovers will be captivated by the beauty of Auvergne's lush landscapes. The Massif Central is the epitome of vast open spaces, with numerous forests, valleys, plateaus, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers… In addition to its exceptional flora, Auvergne also boasts remarkable wildlife.
You'll find many birds: falcons, kingfishers, owls, swallows, herons, swans, ducks, as well as numerous mammals: mouflons, chamois, marmots, squirrels, roe deer, wild boars, deer, foxes, and a great variety of fish. In summer, you can enjoy many outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, golf, tennis, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing…
Winter in Auvergne
In winter, you can head to the ski resorts in Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme (Mont-Dore, Super Besse, Super Lioran…). You can enjoy alpine skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or even dog sledding…
Auvergne cuisine
Auvergne cuisine is characterized by excellent local products, varied, authentic, and of high quality. It often features vegetables (potatoes, dried beans, lentils, turnips, carrots…), meats, or charcuterie. Among the most traditional dishes of the region are potée auvergnate (a stew), truffade (a potato and cheese dish), Cantal-style tripoux (stuffed sheep's feet), stuffed cabbage, sanguette (blood sausage), aligot (mashed potatoes with cheese), pachade (a type of pancake), piquechagne, pounti (a savory cake), coq au vin, and potato pâté…
Auvergne cuisine is also famous for its cured meats and charcuterie: sausages, salami, ham, petit salé with lentils…
With its many lakes and rivers, Auvergne offers a great variety of fish: trout, salmon, Arctic char, pike, zander, perch, carp…
An Auvergne meal typically ends with a good AOC cheese (Cantal, Fourme d'Ambert, Salers, Saint-Nectaire, Bleu d'Auvergne). For dessert, try the famous pompe aux pommes (apple cake), as well as blueberry tart, fougasse (a type of bread), cornet de Murat (a pastry)… As for wines, you'll find 5 great crus: Boudes, Chanturgue, Châteaugay, Corent, and Madargue.
