Hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and more....

The Auvergne region, in central France, consists of the more than 200 km-long Massif Central mountain range and the volcanic highlands with no longer active volcanoes. For nature lovers, Auvergne with its magnificent flora and fauna is a fantastic holiday destination.

Nature is unspoiled here; impressive mountains, deep valleys, meandering rivers, crater lakes, waterfalls, thermal springs, stunning flora and peat bogs form a spectacular scenery. France's largest national nature park, Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, features ancient volcanoes with green wooded slopes. There are nature reserves and protected areas for migratory birds here. Besides the Volcanoes Natural Park, Auvergne is home to a second authentic area: the Livradois-Forez Natural Park. This park gets its name from the two mountain ranges that adorn the landscape, separated by the Dore river that crosses the area. Along the hiking trails and quiet roads, a great variety of landscapes unfolds with alternating dense forests, green meadows and stubbly highlands.

Auvergne is home to much Romanesque heritage. Five churches best represent this style: Saint-Saturnin, Saint-Nectaire, Notre-Dame d'Orcival, Saint-Austremoine abbey in Issoire and the cathedral of Le Puy-en-Velay which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.