Auvergne Tourism Attractions
- Through its 4 departments: Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme, nature is in all its grandeur. All along its touristic routes, the Auvergne region offers a variety of landscapes allowing the practice of many sport and leisure activities.
- The very famous Vulcania Park is not to be missed for those interested on scientific facts as for those curious to see volcanoes.
- In Auvergne water has also pride of place. Spas are at the heart of Auvergne's history and culture attracting many visitors in the most famous thermal towns of the region: Vichy and La Bourboule.
| Auvergne Sport Activities | |
|---|---|
| Water sports | Auvergne rivers offer opportunities to have a go at different activities like canyoning, rowing, canoeing, fishing, rafting, sailing... |
| Aerial sports | Paragliding, hang-gliding, hot air, parachuting and ULM are available. Hot air ballooning over the volcanoes is a must. |
| Land sports | Auvergne accounts for 1000km of itineraries for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding as well as 5000km of track road for walks. Cross-country, rock climbing, golf and skiing are also on offer. |
| Relaxation | The thermal station La Bourboule is specialized in children's care. Vichy attracts a large clientele and is also known as the “Queen of the Water Towns”. Bourbon-l’Archambault, is recommended for treating rheumatism. Chaudes-Aigues has one of the hottest spring in Europe, La Source du Par (82°). |
| Auvergne Parks and Attractions | |
| Aquariums and Zoos | Parc animalier du Cézallier setting on 25 ha in a natural and protected area. |
| Amusement Park | Auvergne Miniature recreates the region sites on a small scale (1/10). Tonic Aventure: with activities such as rafting, swimming, climbing, biking and in winter skiing and snowshoeing. Parc de L'Ecureuil: high ropes adventure park suitable for all the family. Vulcania: the unique European Volcano Park, welcoming more than 500 000 visitors a year, for both scientific and recreational exploration. |
| Parks and Gardens | Jardin pour la terre with flora from all over the world. Arboretum de La Balaine: the oldest botanic and floral private park of France. Le Jardin Textile de Bassignac: about 150 plants cultivated on 800 m2. Jardin-Verger de Malicorne offers a mish-mash of colours and scents. |
| Auvergne Festivals and Events | |
| Spring | Europavox European festival(celebrating modern music. |
| Summer | -"Sacred Music Festival",in August in La Chaise-Dieu -International street theatre festival, in August in Aurillac |
| Autumn | "Bird King Renaissance festival" in Le Puy en Velay, mid-September (archery competition). |
| Winter | "International festival of short-film" in Clermont-Ferrand, in February (celebrating cinema). |
| Auvergne Towns and Villages of Interest | |
| Puy de Dôme | Issoire: with one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Auvergne and an old quarter Le Puy-en Velay: the land of green lentils and several architectural treasures like Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral Clermont Ferrand: industrial town and home to the famous Michelin tyre producer and home to magnificent religious buildings |
| Haute Loire | Brioude: with the largest Romanesque church in Auvergne Yssingeaux: with Saint-Pierre Church, the Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions and Saint-Roch Museum |
| Cantal | Saint Flour: located at an altitude of 880 metres, with a majestic Gothic Cathedral and traditional festivities Mauriac: the Mauriac Val Saint-Jean tourist complex is worth the trip Aurillac: the “capital of the countryside” modern city built around the old quarters with churches and museums. |
| Allier | Moulins: with its cathedral "Notre-Dame", one of the main places of interest in this city, homeland of the Dukes of Bourbon. Montluçon: attractive medieval town of Art with the Museum of Folk Music. Vichy: worldwide famous for its thermal spa and luxurious mansions and villas along the River Allier. |
| Useful contacts | |
| Tourisme Information | www.auvergne-tourisme.info |
