Auvergne

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The Auvergne is an extensive region of central France. A large part of the Auvergne region is covered by the volcanic Massif Central mountain range, a region of vast green open spaces, dotted with lakes, forests and extinct volcanoes, plus some of the best hiking territory to be found in France. The region is home to two Regional Natural Parks - the Livradois-Forez Park and the Auvergne Volcanoes Park, more than 500 Romanesque churches, over 50 châteaux to visit along the 'Route des Châteaux d'Auvergne' and 10 spa towns (with all the charm of the 'Belle Epoque').

Quick Facts
Capital:	Clermont-Ferrand</tr>
Area:	26,013 km²</tr>
Population:	1,308,878(1999)
Location
Départements
Allier (03) Cantal (15) Haute-Loire (43) Puy-de-Dôme (63)

Cities

• Clermont-Ferrand - the capital of the region

• Aurillac

Get in

By car

The Auvergne region can be reached from Paris on the A71 motorway (3 hrs), from Lyon on the A72 motorway (2 hrs) and from Beziers on the A75 Méridienne motorway (no toll).

See

• the European Volcanic Park [1] - the Auvergne is the largest volcanic region in Europe
• the Auvergne Historical Châteaux Route [2]

External links

• Auvergne - A Paradise of Space - official tourism site for the Auvergne region

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