At the heart of the Massif-Central, the Auvergne boasts Europe's largest volcanic area, as well as being home to Vulcania, the European centre of vulcanology.
Its exceptional natural setting is ideally suited to numerous leisure and sporting pursuits: hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, canoeing, golf, hang-gliding, downhill and cross country skiing, winter hikes with snow shoes … These same natural resources also give rise to the renowned thermal springs around which several spa towns have developed.
The Auvergne is also host to a number of internationally known cultural festivals such as the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, the music festival at Chaise Dieu, the street theatre festival in Aurillac, Puy-en-Velay's Bird King festival, and the Cultures of the World festival in Gannat.
A
land of history and tradition, the Auvergne retains a rich cultural and historical heritage, with its Historic Chateaux of the Auvergne Trail, its charming villages and over 250 examples of Roman architecture. And when it comes to eating well, it offers numerous gastronomic delights based on quality local produce.