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French Regional Information
Auvergne
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The Auvergne is one of the most beautiful regions in France, yet it is probably one of the least well known. It is certainly one of the poorest, with the majority of the region being made up of beautiful yet rural small farmer’s villagers, or larger more industrialized towns. It is the countryside however, which makes the Auvergne so special, Volcanoes; high, wind-swept plateaus; deep gorges, dug by wild water; crater lakes; exceptional flora... In the Auvergne, nature is on show in all her beauty and diversity.
Lakes, rivers, rapids, thermal springs – water is ever present in Auvergne creating some natural phenomena. Chaudes-Aigues, in Cantal, is the southernmost thermal spring in Auvergne with the hottest waters of any thermal spring in all Europe.
Here, thirty springs gush forth, one of which is the Par spring that can reach a temperature of 82°C. All year round, some of the water from the Par is used to supply public fountains throughout the town. The townspeople use it to wash dishes and clothes as well as for cleaning and cooking. The magnificent forests dominate the landscape, reminiscent of the Scottish highlands, with endless horizons filled by proud fir trees and waterfalls.
Auvergne’s history: At the very center of France lies the mountainous region of the Massif Central (central mountain mass). At its core lies Auvergne, an historic region and former province of central France, which today makes up of the departments of Allier (03), Cantal (15), Haute-Loire (43), and Puy-de-Dôme (63). Its name is derived from the Arverni, a Celtic people whose leader VERCINGETORIX defied and was defeated by Julius Caesar. In fact, this region has been settled by humans probably longer than anywhere else in France.
Since the reign of the Bourbons, Auvergnats have not been strangers to positions of power in France: politicians such as Valéry Giscard-d'Estaing, Georges Pompidou, and Jacques Chirac all hail from this region. With a reputation for being tough and thrifty, the Auvergnats -- who like to describe France as "the Auvergne with a bit of land around it" -- have often traveled far in search of work. It is little known that the majority of the traditional cafes in Paris are run by Auvergnats.
In the northern part of Auvergne one finds the fertile tertiary basin of the Limagne, where dairying and beef cattle diversify the traditional wheat economy. For the most part, however, the region is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges and volcanic peaks, offering views of a lunar landscape pitted with huge craters and outcroppings. The Puy de Dôme (1,463 m/4,800 ft) is the highest of a chain of recent volcanic peaks (the Monts Dôme, which became extinct some 4000 years ago) overlooking Clermont-Ferrand from the west. The Celts considered it a royal mountain, on which they worshiped their god of war.
The area is a paradise of outdoor activities, including skiing, rafting, biking, golfing, hiking, and hang-gliding. Lakes Guéry, Aydat, Pavin, and Chambon provide excellent opportunities for water sports such as canoeing, fishing, swimming, and sailing.
