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Auvergne is a region of vast green open spaces, dotted
with lakes, forests and volcanoes, and the best hiking
territory to be found. Its
four departments, Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dome,
lie in the heart of France only one hour from Lyons or
three from Paris. |
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Sculpted
by fire, the Auvergne with its four volcanic massifs,
the youngest of which dates back 10,000 years, is a veritable
open-air geological exhibition.Take a walk through the
unique countryside and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
The Parc des Volcans is made up of five natural regions
which are fascinating and grandiose: the chaîne des Puys,
the Monts Dore, the Cézalier, the Artense and the Monts
du Cantal. As the custodian of this rich natural heritage,
the Park strives to protect and enhance its patrimony
with exhibitions of flora, fauna and traditional architecture. |
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A
return to the source of the Loire, Allier and Dordogne
rivers. Water, pure and untamed, is everywhere in the
Auvergne. "No river simply meanders along in the Auvergne.
The water dozes in craters 262 feet deep (...) or leaps
over the slopes, foaming up and evaporating in sparkling
mists...",wrote Alexandre Vialatte. Relaxation, fitness
training, sporting activities - many activities on
your holiday in the Auvergne will revolve around water.
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But
Auvergne is not just nature. This region can be proud
of its Romanian churches, with their perfect proportions,
purity of line and the harmonious use of natural stone
colours. Constructed by the Auvergnat school (11th
and 12th centuries), they represent one of the most
beautiful Romanesque remains in Europe.
( text and pictures: www.crt-auvergne.fr)
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www.crt-auvergne.fr
: Official web site of the Auvergne Tourism Office: a good
introduction to the various interests of the region, mains
tours, accomodation, numerous pictures that color a plesant
presentation.
www.planetepuydedome.com
: Water, air, earth and fire, the department of Puy-de-Dôme
has it all, including Vulcania, the first European scientist
leisure park about volcanoes and Earth Sciences, due to open
to the public in February 2002.
www.teaser.fr/~vdisanzo:
website of Pleaux, a medieval village in high-Auvergne. Finished
the legendary isolation of Cantal, now it is linked to the
rest of the hexagon and the world by a Web site ! Visitor,
if you like nature, history and authenticity then this village
lost in this magnificent region will seduce you.
last update: February
12, 2002
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