About Auvergne
Situated south of the centre of France, the Auvergne (population 1.31 million) covers an area of 26,000km2 (16,250mi2) at the heart of the Massif Central (the volcanic region in the centre of France) and has a population of 1.3 million. The Auvergne includes the departments of Allier (03), Cantal (15), Haute-Loire (43) and Puy-de-Dôme (63). In the area around Clermont-Ferrand (63), the mountains reach a peak of 1,885m (6,180ft). From north to south, with a small ascent around the Plateau Millevaches (978m/3,200ft) the terrain becomes flatter and rockier. The Auvergne is 25 per cent woodland, 45 per cent grassland, 20 per cent arable land and 10 per cent other uses (including urban areas). Economically, the Auvergne is a relatively poor region, and the department of Haute-Loire in particular is suffering from the decline of agriculture and an ageing population.
The main towns are Ambert, Aurillac, Clermont-Ferrand, Le Puy-enVelay, Moulins and Vichy. The region is unique in France, as Europe's largest group of volcanoes (now extinct) have created a landscape of mountains (Mont Dore reaches 1,885m/6,180ft), craters, lakes, rivers (the Dordogne springs from near Mont-Dore), springs (including Arvie, Mont-Dore, Saint-Yorre, Vichy and Volvic), spas and lava flows, all of which combine to create a huge geological park. The region contains two regional parks and two nature parks, and in February 2002 a volcano theme park opened (Vulcania), including volcano-related exhibits and a guided tour around the crater of an extinct volcano.
This natural heritage is complemented by a rich cultural and historical heritage: more than 500 Romanesque churches (some of which are considered France's best), almost 50 châteaux and ten spa towns. The Auvergne also contains ten of the 'most beautiful villages of France', four of which are in Haute-Loire. The regional capital, Clermont Ferrand (headquarters of Michelin, the tyre manufacturer and tourist guide producer), is mainly built from dark basalt, making an impressive and unusual townscape. There are nine ski centres, 200km (125mi) of downhill runs and more than 800km. (500mi) of cross-country trails.
Water plays an important part in the economy of the region. Many lakes have formed in valleys blocked by lava streams, e.g. at Aydat and Guéry, or where volcanoes have erupted in valleys, e.g. at Chambon and Montcineyre. Many anglers and watersports enthusiasts use these lakes, along with rivers such as the Allier and the Cher. The many hot springs in the area also owe their existence to volcanic activity. Water temperature ranges from 10°C (50°F) to over 80°C (Chaudes-Aigues is the hottest spring in Europe at 82.3°C/180°F) and the springs are sought after by people who wish to 'take a cure'. Vichy, in Allier, is probably the best known spa town, having waters that are used for drinking and for balneology, and is also famous for its bottled water.
The region is predominantly agricultural with tourism slowly becoming more important. Cows are much in evidence and are used both for meat and for milk, which is made into a number of well known cheeses: Bleu d'Auvergne, Cantal, Forme d'Ambert and Saint-Nectaire. Green lentils have been cultivated in Puy-en-Velay (43) since Gallo-Roman times and are the first vegetable to be given a quality classification as for wine. Excellent wine (both red and white) is also made from the Saint-Pourçain vineyard (one of the oldest in France) stretched along the banks of the Allier.
©Text by David Hampshire, from Survival Books' Buying a Home in France