The Auvergne region is located in the central part of France, in the area of a mountain range, created millions of years ago, in one of the most beautiful but little-known for tourists corners. Extinct volcanoes, lakes surrounded by forests and meadows, medicinal thermal springs, mineral waters and a temperate climate form an area where a superb landscape combines with a rich history and high-quality gastronomy. Hence, many rivers originate, including the tributaries of the famous Loire.
"Auvergne - a new world" - says the slogan of the Office of Tourism of Auvergne, a charming internal region of France, located three hours from Paris .In this categorical statement lies a considerable part of the truth: Auvergne really differs markedly from the neighboring departments of the Republic .Its "chips" - an amazing European park of volcanoes, magnificent historical castles, easily plugging Loire loosely around the belt, as well as a considerable number of thermal resorts, including the famous Vichy .And from Auvergne the Bible of gourmets of the whole world is born - a strict and ruthless guide "Michelin", so to visit the region makes sense also for gastronomic reasons .
The capital of the region is Clermont-Ferrand.
Large and interesting in the tourist plan of the city - Aurillac, Vichy, Mont-Dor, Thiers.
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Departments and cities of Auvergne
The Auvergne region includes four departments: Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal and Haute-Loire. The administrative center of the department of Allier - Moulin, however it is glorified by a completely different city - Vichy resort. The main city of Cantal, the birthplace of the two presidents of France, is Aryiak.
The regional capital of Auvergne is Clermont-Ferrand, which is concurrently the center of Puy-de-Dome.
History and culture
The province of Auvergne derives its name from the Gallic tribe of Arverna, who inhabits these territories before the conquest of Julius Caesar .The Romans founded here several settlements, the most famous of which was the city of Augustonometum, later turned into Clermont-Ferrand .After the fall of the empire, the province was under the rule of the Franks, Aquitaine and Carolingians until it fell into the hands of the Dukes of Auvergne in the Middle Ages .The capital was then located in Riom .After the Great French Revolution, the regional center was Clermont-Ferrand .
It was during this period that Auvergne gradually turns into one of the economically developed regions. Finally, this process is completed by the end of the 19th century, after the founding of the world-famous Michelin tire factory. Not less fame brought provinces resorts, which were chosen by aristocrats. The most popular among them were the cities of Vichy and La Bourboule.
How to get to Auvergne
Clermont-Ferrand International Airport - Auvergne is a regional airport and serves all flights to Auvergne. The airport is 7 km from the center of Clermont-Ferrand and connects the capital of Auvergne with all major cities of France and Europe. In particular, there are regular direct flights from Paris.
Search for airline tickets to Paris (nearest airport to Auvergne)
By train
Most of the TGV trains to the cities of Auvergne depart from Gare de Lyon .For three and a half hours without much difficulty, you can go first or second class to Clermont-Ferrand .The ticket is best booked on the Internet on the website of the French Railways .Traveling second class in one direction costs slightly more than 54 EUR .Trains run every day in an amount not less than eight (from 5 .00 to 20 .00) .From Monday to Friday - once a day express, shortening the journey time for half an hour .True, the cost of such a trip is much higher .From Bercy station in Paris, you can get to Vichy .Travel time - just under three hours .The fare for the second class is from 49 .90 EUR .
The cost of tickets is indicated for April 2011.
By car
Clermont-Ferrand is located at the intersection of two motorways A 71 and A 72. The route from Paris runs along highway A 71 and takes about four hours. Freeway A 89 - a link with Lyon. The journey time is slightly less than two and a half hours.
Where to go
For traveling over Auvergne, the rented car is the best choice, so you can take the time to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the region without being dependent on the public transport schedule. If you prefer not to "steer" and relax, while contemplating changing pictures outside the window, you can use regional buses (they connect everything, even the smallest towns of Auvergne among themselves) and the trains of the French Railways.
The climate of the region is
Auvergne in the tourist sense is a universal year-round destination. In the summer, they go there to be treated on thermal springs and to have a rest actively in the mountains of the Central Massif - trekking, walking and just relaxing holidays among the picturesque landscapes here go "with a bang." In winter mountain peaks take mountain skiers - there are several "snowy" resorts in the region: the oldest Super-Lioran, modern Super Bess and family-oriented Mont-Dore.
In Auvergne, the climate is temperate continental. Summer is moderately hot, the maximum temperature is +28 .. +31 ° C, the average temperature is +23 .. +26 ° C. Winter is quite mild: the thermometer is kept at an average of 0 .. -5 ° C. The best time to visit the region is difficult to determine (it all depends on which type of holiday the tourist is set up for) - in general, you can come here all year round - the holiday is so varied that possible minor weather vagaries are unlikely to spoil the impression of staying in Auvergne. @
Kitchen and restaurants
The cuisine of the region is designed for the inhabitants of the mountains: it is nutritious, high-calorie and as simple as possible in cooking. The main ingredients of many Auvergne dishes are: cheese, sausage, ham and lentils. Especially popular is the famous sausage with blue cheese, which includes the cheese Bleu d'Auvergne.
Numerous pies with different fillings, tripoux d'Auvergne scraps, potato dishes, in particular truffade, potée auvergnate stew with vegetables, chou farci stuffed with pastilles and pastilles from Vichy (pastilles de Vichy) is just a small list of delicious attractions. Separately, high-quality cheeses are on this list, five of which are certified in accordance with A.O.C.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Auvergne
The capital of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, is located on the slopes of an extinct volcano .The rich history of the city, in which the traditions of eternal rivals in these lands - the Counts of the Auvergne and the Bishops of Clermont - mixed up - was embodied in the mass of interesting sights .Among the most famous - the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin with unique medieval stained-glass windows depicting representatives of various professions and scenes from the Bible .Well, fans of the car industry and all indifferent to the world of cars will be interested to visit the museum "Michelin Enterprise", dedicated to the history of this brand .
In addition to the world-famous thermal spas, the most popular of which are Vichy, you can find unique Romanesque churches, among which there are such pearls as the Basilique Notre-Dame d'Orcival, the basilica of Notre-Dame du Port (Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port) in Clermont-Ferrand, guarded by UNESCO, the Church of Our Lady of Saint Nectaire, the Church of Saint-Austra- monia in Isso-sire (Église Saint-Austremoine d'Issoire).
Lovers of the Middle Ages will be able to get acquainted with a number of medieval castles that form a route with stops in each of the departments (for more information visit the Route Historique des Châteaux d'Auvergne)
Mont-Dore is known both as a balneological resort and as a ski center. The thermal springs of the local mountains were used by Celts, and today there is a mass of sanatoriums used to treat the most flinty mineral water in France with a temperature from +38 ° C to +44 ° C. The ski resort of Mont-Dor is one of the three oldest winter resorts in the country - along with Chamonix and Megeve. The total length of the trails here is more than 500 km, and winters are unanimously recognized as the snowiest in France.
The regional park of the volcanoes of Auvergne is the main natural landmark of the region. Here is Europe's largest extinct volcano Puy-Marie, on the slopes of which many summer hiking and winter ski routes are laid. At the other top of the park - the Plom du Cantal can not only climb on their own two, but also reach the cable car, and the views before you will be opened by the most dizzying!
Vulcania Park
The park "Vulcania" will appeal to both children and adults. This is the first park in Europe dedicated to volcanoes. It is built on the territory of a former military base, located on the site of the once dangerous "neighbors" of the cities of Auvergne. In addition to interesting and useful information on geology, submitted in an entertaining form, here you can participate in a number of attractions.
The cost of tickets depends on the time of year, which is divided into three periods: green, yellow and blue. The green period is from March 23 to June 30. Admission ticket for adults will cost 21 EUR, for children from 6 to 16 years - at 15 EUR. The schedule of the park at this time - from 10.00 to 18.00.
The Blue Period is from 1 July until 31 August. Admission ticket for adults will cost 23 EUR, for children from 6 to 16 years - at 15.50 EUR. The schedule of the park: in July - from 10.00 to 19.00, in August - from 10.00 to 19.30.
The yellow period is every Wednesday from July 20 to August 24, August 9 and 16. Admission ticket for adults will cost 24 EUR, for children from 6 to 16 years - at 16.50 EUR. Children under six are always free. Working hours: from 10.00 to 23.00 + fireworks
The cost of tickets is indicated for April 2011. Photos of Auvergne (4)