Posted on March 15, 2010.
The Auvergne - Land of Lakes and Volcanoes Auvergne is a beautiful area in the heart of France - it is about 3 hours south of Paris and 4:00 on the south coast. It includes 4 departments: Allier in the north, the Puy de Da΄me in the center, the Upper Loire and Cantal is in the South.
This beautiful area has many attractions not least of its plains, river gorge cutting, crater lakes, flora and plateaus and fauna. The astonishing beauty and variety of its scenery never ceases to amaze.
Clermont Ferrand is the capital of Auvergne is located in the Puy de Dome, it occupies a spectacular position, surrounded by the mountains of the Massif du Sancy and dominated by the Puy de Dome itself (1464m). The city is home to a leading global manufacturer of pneumatic, Michelin, which represents one third of exports of parts, which employs 20,000 people in the region and 130,000 worldwide.
The Auvergne contains two of the largest regional parks in France, "Regional Natural Park Volcans d'Auvergne" covering more than 395,000 ha along a north-south about 120km/75miles, and it is smaller A neighbor of the Nature Park? Onal, Drill Livradois of "covering 300,000 ha along the valley of the Dore - making this area the largest protected area of the environment in France.
The volcanoes of the Auvergne are what makes the region so rare and distinct from other mountain scenery as the Alps. Depending on their training and age, each volcano takes a different aspect.
Volcanic activity began about 35 million years to give birth on a number of eruptive phases present in the dramatic scenery. The violent disturbance of the surface of the earth gave rise to several aquifers that feed many mineral springs and spa service centers such as Vichy, La Bourboule and Saint-Nectaire. Chaudes-Aigues Cantal in the warmest water (it reached temperatures of 82 degrees C) of a hot spring in Europe.
The landscape of the Auvergne is the ideal place for Vulcania, Europe's first theme park devoted to volcanoes. Vulcania is located 15km west of Clermont-Ferrand.
Auvergne is a treat for lovers of wildlife - you will see eagles, red kites and otters, among others. Bighorn sheep originating from Sardinia and Corsica, there are numerous on the slopes of Sancy and the mountains of Cantal and can often be observed when hiking.
Hiking, biking, water sports, skiing and Alpine skiing, paragliding, ballooning ... Auvergne has everything. The variety and originality of its land is suitable for a wide variety of outdoor activities and was the only region must visit places for outdoor enthusiasts. well-marked trails and mountain bike trails serve hikers and all the abilities and ski regions of Cantal and Puy de Dome offers good ski ING for downhill skiing or intermediate enthusiast.
The cuisine of the Auvergne is naturally rustic in nature with "Truffade" and "aligot" characteristic of carbohydrate loading local dishes. The region is famous for its green (Puy) lentils that grow particularly well in the rich volcanic soil.
The Auvergne is famous for its cheeses different. Among the most famous are the round cheese dish called St.Nectaire; Bleu d'Auvergne is a reminiscence of Roquefort and Cantal who were all awarded the AOC and classification are still robust product. Cheese lovers can visit farms that produce cheese and observe how it is done in the traditional style along the "Road Cheese.
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