Auvergne Tourism Attractions

• Through its 4 departments: Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme, nature is in all its grandeur. All along its touristic routes, the Auvergne region offers a variety of landscapes allowing the practise of many sport and leisure activities.
• The very famous Vulcania Park is not to be missed for those interested on scientific facts as for those curious to see volcanoes.
• In Auvergne water has also pride of place. Spas are at the heart of Auvergne's history and culture attracting many visitors in the most famous thermal towns of the region: Vichy and La Bourboule.

		Auvergne Sport Activities
Water sports		Auvergne rivers offer opportunities to have a go at different activities like canyoning, rowing, canoeing, fishing, rafting, sailing...
Aerial sports		Paragliding, hang-gliding, hot air, parachuting and ULM are available. Hot air ballooning over the volcanoes is a must.
Land sports		Auvergne accounts for 1000km of itineraries for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding as well as 5000km of track road for walks. Cross-country, rock climbing, golf and skiing are also on offer.
Relaxation		The thermal station La Bourboule is specialized in children's care. Vichy attracts a large clientele and is also known as the “Queen of the Water Towns”. Bourbon-l’Archambault, is recommended for treating rheumatism. Chaudes-Aigues has one of the hottest spring in Europe, La Source du Par (82°).
		Auvergne Parks and Attractions
Aquariums and Zoos		Parc animalier du Cézallier setting on 25 ha in a natural and protected area.
Amusement Park		Auvergne Miniature recreates the region sites on a small scale (1/10). Tonic Aventure: with activities such as rafting, swimming, climbing, biking and in winter skiing and snowshoeing. Parc de L'Ecureuil: high ropes adventure park suitable for all the family. Vulcania: the unique European Volcano Park, welcoming more than 500 000 visitors a year, for both scientific and recreational exploration.
Parks and Gardens		Jardin pour la terre with flora from all over the world. Arboretum de La Balaine: the oldest botanic and floral private park of France. Le Jardin Textile de Bassignac: about 150 plants cultivated on 800 m2. Jardin-Verger de Malicorne offers a mish-mash of colours and scents.
		Auvergne Festivals and Events
Spring		Europavox European festival(celebrating modern music.
Summer		-"Sacred Music Festival",in August in La Chaise-Dieu -International street theatre festival, in August in Aurillac
Autumn		"Bird King Renaissance festival" in Le Puy en Velay, mid-September (archery competition).
Winter		"International festival of short-film" in Clermont-Ferrand, in February (celebrating cinema).
		Auvergne Towns and Villages of Interest
Puy de Dôme		Issoire: with one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Auvergne and an old quarter Le Puy-en Velay: the land of green lentils and several architectural treasures like Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral Clermont Ferrand: industrial town and home to the famous Michelin tyre producer and home to magnificent religious buildings
Haute Loire		Brioude: with the largest Romanesque church in Auvergne Yssingeaux: with Saint-Pierre Church, the Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions and Saint-Roch Museum
Cantal		Saint Flour: located at an altitude of 880 metres, with a majestic Gothic Cathedral and traditional festivities Mauriac: the Mauriac Val Saint-Jean tourist complex is worth the trip Aurillac: the “capital of the countryside” modern city built around the old quarters with churches and museums.
Allier		Moulins: with its cathedral "Notre-Dame", one of the main places of interest in this city, homeland of the Dukes of Bourbon. Montluçon: attractive medieval town of Art with the Museum of Folk Music. Vichy: worldwide famous for its thermal spa and luxurious mansions and villas along the River Allier.
		Useful contacts
Tourisme Information		www.auvergne-tourisme.info

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