Anyone who wants to get to know France at its most beautiful should also travel to the Auvergne. Located in the middle of France, this region is above all famous for its scenic beauty, because large parts of it lie on volcanic terrain. To explore this region, you should also visit the capital, Clermont-Ferrand.
The Black Cathedral, also called Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, is a Gothic masterpiece built of dark lava rock. Another fine piece of church architecture is the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port, which has its first roots in the 6th century. When visiting Clermont-Ferrand, a stroll through the picturesque old town must not be missed. The department-store chain Galeries Lafayette, small boutiques and lovely bistros: here you can spend a romantic holiday. Of course, culture lovers can also visit a fine museum here. The Musée du Ranquet houses the folklore of this region, the Musée Bargoin holds archaeological finds and the Musée des beaux-arts Roger-Quilliot shows art from many eras. But if you want to see beautiful carpets, you should visit the Musée du Tapis d’Art.
But Montluçon, the second-largest city of this region, should also be visited on a tour of the Auvergne. Here too the beautiful old town can delight, and the churches of this city are always worth a visit. Anyone who wants to learn a lot of interesting things about the Resistance should visit the Musée des Musiques Populaires et de la Résistance here, and the Musée/Château de la Louvière also offers many fine exhibits. In the town centre the holidaymaker will see the impressive Bourbon castle, and anyone who loves beautiful architecture should roam the town on foot.
The holidaymaker should also go to Aurillac, because just like the other towns Aurillac too can delight with picturesque beauty. Churches rich in tradition and the Château Saint-Étienne, which is today a much-visited ruin. And of course fans of archaeological finds should visit the Musée d’Art et d’Archéologie. The holidaymaker should also have seen the church of Saint-Louis in lovely Vichy, and a nice stroll through this idyllic place is always worthwhile. A popular spa town, the “queen of spa towns”, it is visited every year by many people taking the cure. Hot and cold springs provide internal and external treatments here, and since the end of the 16th century the sick have hoped here for a cure for their ailments.
Moulins and Le Puy-en-Velay can also be the destination of lovely sightseeing tours, and everywhere in the towns of the Auvergne the holidaymaker should also not forget the culinary delights of this region. A lovely holiday region in the heart of France, the Auvergne is always worth a trip.