The Auvergne is the volcanic heart of France — a rugged, sparsely populated region of extinct volcanoes, crater lakes and deep river gorges in the Massif Central. The Chaîne des Puys, a chain of 80 dormant volcanoes stretching north-south, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. You can hike to the top of the Puy de Dôme, the highest in the chain, and look out across a landscape that feels nothing like the France of postcards.
This is excellent country for hiking, cycling, paragliding and winter cross-country skiing. The Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne is one of the largest nature parks in Europe. Rivers like the Allier and the Sioule cut through dramatic gorges, and the region's thermal springs have drawn visitors since Roman times — Le Mont-Dore and Vichy are the best known.
The capital Clermont-Ferrand is a lively university city built from dark volcanic stone, with a striking Gothic cathedral and a good restaurant scene. The fortified village of Salers, the medieval castle at Pont-Gibaud, and the spectacular Millau viaduct are all worth the detour.
