Because of the isolated nature of much of the Auvergne countryside, many ancient traditions have survived. Today the inhabitants are doing their utmost to preserve the special character of the region and the cultural heritage. Many of the old customs are upheld on the most important occasions. Bonfires are still lit on the mountain tops to celebrate the summer solstice (Feast of St John), and local festivals have kept up the tradition of the music and the songs played to young girls by the young men of the village. There has also been a revival of country festivals to celebrate haymaking, cheese making and harvesting.
Local writers have brought fame to a few of the Auvergne’s prelates among them Sidonius Apollinaris, Gerbert (10C) and Massilon who gave Louis XIV’s funeral oration in the 18C. The Auvergne also had poets such as Theodore de Banville (1823-91) who founded the Parnassian School of Poetry and philosophers such as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955). In the 20C, Henri Pourrat and the chronicler Alexandre Vialatte have both described their native land, each in his own style. Of all the Auvergne authors, the best known is Blaise Pascal though Gregory of Tours, the medieval chronicler, is almost equally important.