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Auvergne
Auvergne is made up of four départements (counties): Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire, Cantal
France’s “green lung”, Auvergne is the land of Wide-Open Spaces. Located in the heart of the Massif Central, today it is at the crossroads of several motorways. With is sprinkling of lakes and forests, Auvergne offers its visitors the largest group of volcanoes in Europe at Vulcania, the unique European Volcano Park, two Regional Nature Parks (the Auvergne Volcanoes and Livradois-Forez), more than 500 Romanesque churches, nearly 50 châteaux to visit along the Historic Road of the Auvergne Châteaux and 10 spa towns which preserve the charms of the “Belle Époque”. All along the tourist routes through the l’Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme, départements, the wealth and variety of the landscapes are perfect for many sport and leisure activities: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hang gliding, canoeing-kayaking, swimming, cross-country and downhill skiing or snow shoeing in winter. Auvergne also means delicious food and a fun, festive atmosphere in the friendly spirit of hospitality that is so typical of the Auvergnat people. |
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Skiing Auvergne
The best known resort in the Sancy range is Super Besse, which has some 45km of south facing slopes, comprising 27 runs: 7 green, 6 blue, 11 red and 3 black.There is a link to the north facing resort of Le Mont Dore and lift passes may be purchased for individual resorts or the whole area. |
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Walking in Auvergne
Auvergne's immense greenland is peppered with trecks for all ages and experience. All kinds of hiking trails are to be found through the landscape taht has been sculpted through the ages by volcanic eruptions. |
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Cycling in Auvergne
The Volcanic nature of Auvergne has shaped the region in a way that seems perfect for cyclists. Nature parks with remarkable scenic views like the Livradois-Forez park are perfect for a family cycling trip. Cyclists, from the most experienced of riders and downhillers to the family outing, will find that Auvergne has endless options. |
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Horse Riding Auvergne
Auvergne is a great region for horses and riding and is a wonderful destination for riding holidays. The layout of the fields, the patterns of crops and woodlands, the layout of the towns and villages and the unique building structures create the perfect horse riding experience. |
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Between Lakes and Volcanoes in Auvergne
Lakes and volcanoes share the West of Auvergne. Between the Chaîne des Dômes, the Monts Dore and the huge Massif Cantalien, it is an impressive yet idyllic environment that welcomes nature lovers. |
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Food and Drink Auvergne
It is impossible to talk about Auvergne without mentioning the local products for which it is famous: the five AOC cheeses (Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, Salers, Fourme d’Ambert and Bleu d’Auvergne). Salt pork products (Oh! That delicious Auvergne ham and all those sausages!), washed down, in moderation, by good wines: Saint-Pourçain, Châteaugay, Madargues, Boudes or Corent. |
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Culture Auvergne
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. |
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History in Auvergne
In the Northeast of Auvergne, in the heart of the Allier and Bourbonnais area, the land of the Dukes of Bourbon, the ancestral home of eight of the last Kings of France, welcomes art and history lovers. Water, humble and salutary, floods this land of prosperous history with its blessings. |
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Heritage in Auvergne
Auvergne has a particularly rich heritage of châteaux that are well worth visiting. Built in the Middle Ages, then under the Dukes of Bourbon d'Auvergne and their vassals, these sentinels set high up on volcanic promontories and these lovely residences nestled in the Bourbonnais bocage bear witness to a prestigious past. |
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Vulcania in Auvergne -The European Volcano Park
Thousands of years of volcanism have forged the landscape of Auvergne giving it the special strength and character that make it a unique place in Europe. |
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Hydrotherapy in Auvergne
Auvergne is the most important region for hydrotherapy treatment in France. Every year its 10 resorts welcome nearly 70,000 curists making Auvergne a major European health centre. The spa centres of Vichy, Le Mont-Dore, Saint-Nectaire, Châteauneuf-les-Bains, Châtel-Guyon, La Bourboule, Royat-Chamalières, Chaudes-Aigues, Néris-les-Bains and Bourbon-l’Archambault, together make up a unique group. |
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Watersports Auvergne
Auvergne, being known as the "land of lakes and volcanoes" is rich with numerous water sports. Natural and artificial lakes are in use all year round for sporting activities. From fishing and swimming to water skiing and kayaking, there is no limit to what can be done. |
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Nature Parks in Auvergne
The Auvergne contains two of the largest regional nature parks in France, the 'Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne' and it's smaller neighbour the 'Parc Naturel Régional des Livradois-Forez' - making this area the largest environmentally protected area in France.
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Not to be missed in Auvergne
If it were possible, the best way to travel in this region would be on the back of a donkey, just as the writer Stevenson did. It is indeed probably the pleasantest way to see this land of volcanoes, fashioned by their eruptions. Inactive for centuries, they gave birth to a strange and majestic landscape. |
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| News |
What's happening in Auvergne? |
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| 26/08/2008 New high-speed train puts eastern France's wine and Champagne country on daytrippers' map |
REIMS, France -- After a Paris breakfast of cafe and croissant, how about lunch and a glass of bubbly in France's Champagne region? Thanks to a new high-speed train line, Reims, the ancient heart of Champagne country, is now just 45 minutes from Paris -- less time than it takes to cross the French capital during rush hour.
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| 12/05/2009 Summary of the national newspaper's travel sections, 9th&10th May 2009 |
Cahors, eating your way around Paris, Cannes, spa holidays, luxury villages in Languedoc and some unusual festivals.
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| 21/12/2009 Summary of the portrayal of France in the UK weekend Travel sections, 19&20 December 2009 |
Skiing in the Auvergne and Alps, currency vouchers, Disneyland Paris and tomorrow's hotel rooms today.
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| 26/08/2008 Best Places to Live in France |
Aude grabbed the top spot in a survey of the best departments in France for quality of life. The survey, carried out by French magazine l'Express, judged departments on a range of criteria including proximity to the sea and mountains, cost of housing, average temperatures and the average number of rainy days, with the Languedoc-Roussillon region emerging top of the list.
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| 26/08/2008 What's it like ... painting like a French master |
Jean-Luc Sable recently was voted the Best Craftsman in France, winning a prestigious gold medal in a national painting competition held only once every four years. In 2010, he will host the 2010 Salon, The International Society of Decorative Painters, in Versailles.
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| Festival Vidéoformes |
| March |
Clermont - Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme
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| The Vidéoformes festival celebrates new media and digital art forms with a programme of screenings and exhibitions throughout the town. |
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| Les Européennes du Goût |
| July (Annual) |
Aurillac
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Markets of quality, innovative, organic and farm-fresh food. Be prepared to diet before a visit to the food lovers' festival. The town of Aurillac promises to fulfil all your gluttonous desires. |
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| International Short Film Festival |
| January - February |
Clermont-Ferrand
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| The Clermont-Ferrand Festival will present three competitions mixing film and digital medium, thus bringing greater diversity to the short film format – diversity being its basic principle, its source of uniqueness and vitality. |
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| Festival International du Court Métrage |
| January - February |
Clermont - Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme
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| Second only to Cannes in terms of visitors, Clermont-Ferrand plays host to the international short film festival - and with over 1,300 short films registered last year, you won't be short of viewing material. |
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| L'Armistice |
| 11 November |
Throughout France
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| Armistice Day, which marks the symbolic end of the First World War in 1918. Those who perished during the two world wars are remembered during this ceremony. |
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Up to 15% Off Half Term Skiing with Peak Retreats
Offer covers selected resorts and accommodation. Book with award-winning French Alps specialist.
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2011 at 2010 prices. Limited offer only £25 deposit
2010 prices held for 2011. Limited offer of only £25 deposit. Best properties selling fast.
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| Holiday Options |
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Accommodation
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PV-Holidays No 1 for holidays in the Dordogne and Perigord.
PV-Holidays Quality residences with apartments and houses with pools in Monflaquin and Argentat.
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Headwater's High Alps Independent Walk
Exciting high level walking; awe inspiring views; super flora and fauna.
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Alan Rogers Guides & Travel
Pitch reservations & mobile home holidays across France & Spain. Pay at-the-gate prices, with a small, one-off admin fee and we'll organise it all for you. Free Child Places and Special Offers available. Alan Rogers Guides have been the market leading campsite guides since 1968. Also Camping Cheque programme (www.campingcheque.co.uk) for low season touring with savings up to 60%
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Farmhouses and Cottages in Languedoc and South West France
Bowhills have properties for parties of up to 18! Prices from just £337 per week for 6 people.
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Inntravel Walking Holidays
Inntravel offer a broad range of independent, self-guided walking holidays throughout France.
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French Connections
Self catering French Gite & Villa Holiday Rentals in Auvergne. Search Now for your 2008 holiday.
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More Holiday Options ... |
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Bowhills - 2010
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Hoseasons - villas & Apartments with Pools
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VFB - France Cottage & Villa Holidays
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Go Barging 2010
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Inntravel - walking and more 2010
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Belle France - Walking and Cycling in France
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Brittany Ferries Holidays - Cottages & Villas
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Brittany Ferries Holidays - Hotels
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Hoseasons European Boating 2010
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