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Auvergne Holiday Cottages
Auvergne holiday cottages and self catering holiday homes are provided by the rental companies featured below. They offer properties throughout the Auvergne region and most are well-appointed in rural settings. A good range of special offers and reductions are available all the year round.
Holiday Lettings - Around
80 Auvergne cottages and holiday homes from £250 for weekly bookings. Many of their self catering properties are located close to the beach - all are well appointed in rural locations. Visit the site for news of the latest deals.
French Connections - Over
60 Auvergne holiday cottages and self catering properties, many of which include extras such as satellite television and swimming pools. Their collection ranges from modern holiday homes to traditional stone-built cottages.
Chez Nous - 40 Auvergne self catering cottages, villas and gites from Chez Nous. Most accommodate between 4 and 8 people with prices starting at around £300 p/w. Discount bookings are offered for a select few holiday properties.
Hoseasons - A small collection of villas and cottages in Auvergne from Hoseasons Villas. All are well-located with some offering private swimming pools. Booking rates are between £500 and £1673 for week-long short break holidays.
Auvergne
Auvergne holiday cottages provide an alternative to standard accommodation and afford some fine views of the mountainous region of France known as the
Massif Central. Auvergne is a region of beautiful mountain scenery that consists of deep valleys and volcanic peaks. If you seek dramatic landscapes and unspoilt solitude then consider Auvergne cottages.
The northern area of Auvergne consists of fertile agricultural land and is used for grazing cattle. Volcanic peaks and mountain ranges form an impressive backdrop - the Puy de Dôme reaches heights of around 5000ft. Two nature parks, The
Auvergne Volcanoes and Livradois-Forez, both afford some spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and are popular amongst holiday-goers.
The dense woodlands of The
Forest of Troncais provide a tranquil and peaceful retreat while the River Allier and Truyère wind through the countryside, creating some delightful river-scapes consisting of dramatic gorges and waterfalls. There is also a fine selection of picturesque lakes found in the region such as Chauvet and Chambon.
Many of the towns and villages found in Auvergne are unspoilt and remote. Blesle is known for its beauty and has a wonderful Roman Church, St-Pierre. Other towns of note include Murat, with the overhanging
Bonnevie Rock, while Moudeyres offers a more traditional French rural feel. They all contribute marvellously to the character of this charming region. Sell below for Auvergne visitor attractions, activities and entertainment.
Auvergne visitor attractions
This region, in the centre of the Massif Central is an outdoor paradise for cottages holiday makers and is the home of some of the most beautiful castles, palaces and churches in the whole of France. There are mountains to the east and to the west, extinct volcanoes with crater lakes and hot springs.
Outdoor activities
There is a wide choice of outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy: rafting, para gliding, canoeing, cycling and walking, to name but a few – and of course, in winter ski-ing and snow boarding. The Saucy West Ski Area has excellent facilities in parc des Volcanes. In summer, it is a great place to hire mountain bikes and there are circuits which include the first stage of the
Tour de France as well as over 110 km of mountain bike pistes. Walkers and hikers will find 650 km of marked paths to suit all levels of ability and for the less energetic, there is some wonderful scenery to enjoy on a stroll along the banks of the Dordogne.
Food and drink
The Auvergne is well known for its peasant type cuisine. Local dishes like aligot and pork stuffed with cabbage are specialities. Le Puy lentils are grown in the volcanic soil and there is plentiful game in the area. Also local is blue Roquefort cheese.
The
Restaurant Anglard at Clermont-Ferrand is one of the best in the area, offering classic dishes such as roast pigeon and it also has a reasonably priced daily menu. Lovers of cheese might enjoy eating at La Terroir du Cantal, a farmhouse-style restaurant serving terrines (known as pounti) fresh vegetables and Cantal cheese.
The brasserie on the market square in Clermont Ferrand is relaxed and inexpensive with an extensive wine list. At Aurillac, La Reine Margot serves hearty country dishes and a good choice of fish, ham, beef and pork.
History and Culture
Most of the old town of Issoire was destroyed in the 16th century but its 12th century Abbey Church of St Austremoin is one of the most beautiful in the area. At
Clermont Ferrand, the Musee Bargoin has an amazing collection of Roman artefacts. Open daily except on Mondays. Just west of the town is Mont Domes which encompasses 112 extinct volcanoes over a 19mile area. At the summit are the ruins of a Roman temple.
St Nectaire le bas is a spa with more than 40 hot and cold springs, renowned for its curative properties in the treatment of kidney and metabolic problems. The
Chateau de Cordes a 15th century manor house which once belonged to Catherine de Mediciis open from Easter to October daily. Children will enjoy a visit to
Chateau de Murol, a partly ruined 12th century house with guides in medieval costume. Open April to October daily.
