Auvergne - Massif Central
Centraal Massief
Frankrijk
Gemmaboon
Auvergne - Massif Central
City Tour Vichy and Clermont-Ferrand
On Sunday night we arrived in Vichy and slept at Sofitel Vichy Hotel. On Monday morning we started our week in Auvergne and Limousin with a visit of the town. Vichy is a nice old city, well known for its thermal baths and spa facilities. A majority of the buildings date from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20st century. A nice selection of neo-gothic, neo-renaissance and art nouveau architecture can be viewed here. Vichy is situated only half an hour drive from the airport of Clermond-Ferrand.
In the afternoon we left Vichy for Clermont-Ferrand. Clermont Ferrand is the prefecture (capital) of the Puy-de-Dôme department, Auvergne. Clermont-Ferrand sits on the plain of Limagne in the Massif Central. The city is famous for the chain of volcanoes, the Chaîne des Puys surrounding it. Most of the historic buildings we have seen on our tour were made out of dark Volcano stone: this material is very durable and characteristic of the region.
Clermont-Ferrand is also famous for hosting world's number one International short-film festival as well as Michelin 's corporate headquarters, the famous tyre company created more than 100 years ago in the city.
Montpeyroux and Le Mont Dore
Just 20 kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand, on the old Régordane Way linking Auvergne to the Languedoc, this former winegrowing village lies perched on a beautiful hill. The buildings are made out of sandstone, t. The 11th century defence tower has recently been restored and offers a wonderful view of the Allier valley.
Montpeyroux has been chosen as one of Les Plus Beaux villages de France (most beautiful villages of France) and certainly deserves this honour.
Our walk in the snow in the village and ski area Le Mont Dore, in the heart of the Central Massif, was very enjoyable. The slopes are most suitable for families with children who enjoy skiing with the whole family and don't like the crowds in other well known winter sport areas. Our lunch break in 'Le Buron de Dame Tartine', a typical farmer style restaurant, was excellent. The cuisine of the region is varied and delicious
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