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More information and pictures on the way
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Things to see and do in the Auvergne
The Auvergne has plenty to offer in terms of tourist attractions; and while its countryside and scenery are perhaps the greatest attraction for most visitors, tourists and visitors will find plenty of specific sites and sights to ensure a richly varied and interesting holiday in the Auvergne for all discerning travellers. Here are some of the Auvergne's best .... Monuments and Culture:  The
old city and cathedral of Le Puy en Velay (UNESCO world
heritage site) The
Romanesque churches of Auvergne.The Auvergne is rich in remarkable mediaeval churches, the most famous of which are: Notre Dame du
Port (Clermont Ferrand) (63)
Eglise Saint Austremoine at Issoire (63) Notre Dame d'Orcival (63) Eglise de Saint Nectaire (63) Basilique Saint Julien, Brioude (43) Abbey and cloisters at Lavaudieu (43) Cathedrale Notre Dame, le Puy en Velay (43) Chapelle Saint Michel de l'Aiguilhe , Le Puy en Velay Mauriac (Cantal, 15) Historic
churches and chapels with frescoes and murals:The Abbey at
La Chaise Dieu (43), with world famous Dance of Death fresco.
The small churches and chapels of the Haut Allier (Blassac, Saint Cirgues, Peyrusse, etc) , many decorated with murals and frescoes. Dungeons
and chateaux.There are many famous castles to visit in Auvergne; the following are among the more interesting: Allier: Bourbon l'Archambault, Busset, Lapalisse Puy de Dome: Pontgibaud, La Batisse, Saint Saturnin, Tournoël, Effiat, Haute Loire: Valprivas, Domeyrat (near Brioude), Chaviniac Lafayette, Polignac., Saint Vidal. Cantal: Val (on the Lac de Bort), Pesteils (near Vic sur Cère) Clermont
FerrandThe old city, the Cathedral, the church of Notre Dame du Port, the Roger Quillot Art Gallery, trip to the top of the Puy de Dome mountain. Other
historic monuments Jonas, near Saint Nectaire. Remains of
the mediaeval trogloditic cave dwellings, guided visits. Concerts,
events and festivals Zenith de l'Auvergne - Clermont Ferrand - one of
France's large auditoriums. World "Cultures and
Traditions" festival, Gannat - Puy de Dome. July Festival de la Chaise Dieu, Haute Loire, one of
France's most prestigeous classical music festivals. August "Musique
en la Vallée" a season of concerts in small churches
in the Haut Allier International street theatre festival, Aurillac,
Cantal . August. "Bird King" Renaissance festival in the streets
of Le Puy en Velay, mid September.Outdoor activities:  Kayaking on the Haut Allier and the Loire. Hot air ballooning over the volcanoes HikingThe Massif-Central lies at the hub of France's network of long-distance hiking trails. Numerous hiking trails cross the region, including the start of the great historic Pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella, that starts in Le Puy, and the new GR 700 Regordane Way, a historic mediaeval pilgrimage route to from Le Puy to St. Gilles du Gard The GR 4 hiking train, crossing France from the Atlantic to the Mediteranean, traverses the Auvergne and neighbouring Lozere from Bort les Orgues (63) to Langogne(43); and the GR3, the Loire Valley route, and oldest long-distance trail in France, runs through the region from north to south. Mountain bike trails Via ferrata at Orbeil, near Issoire (63) or at
Le Pertuis (43) Sailing on several of the region's lakes, and
notably at the lake of Bort les Orgues (63) or on
Lake Lavalette near Yssingeaux. (43) Velorail du Cézallier, near Allanches.
Pedal carts on an abandoned railway line. Skiing. The region's main downhill skiing areas
are at the Puy de Sancy (63), with the resort of Super Besse, and at
the Plomb du Cantal, with the resort of Super Lioran.Parks, sights and attractions:  Vulcania theme park, near
Clermont Ferrand; Volcano theme park, with 3-D cinemas, IMAX, and a
discovery of the world of volcanoes, earthquakes and earth forces. (63) The volcanoes themselves Le Pal amusement park. (03) The monthly Biron cattle
fair, in the wilds of the Cézallier (63). Starts very early
in the morning ! Historic working
paper mill, the Moulin Richard de Bas, at Ambert (63) making
paper since the 14th century. Allier gorges scenic train
trip (43), departs from Langeac.(train station, SNCF). Ally wind farm, windmills and
mine visit. (near Lavoute Chilhac 43) Living history presentations:Chateaux de La Batisse (63) , de Domeyrat (43), de Murol (63). Museum of the Resistance,
Mont Mouchet, near Saint Flour (15) The Pont de Garabit, designed
by Gustave Eiffel (visitor centre on A75 motorway south of St
Flour) Salers, traditional old town
of the Auvergne uplands (15)
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