Making up part of the mountainous region in south-central France, the Massif Central is definitely a place you would want to visit. It is located smack in the middle of the beautiful country. The Massif Central came about as a result of volcanic eruptions which are now extinct.
The volcanic soil makes it possible for tobacco, maize and vines to thrive. It is for this very same reason, that its slopes are covered in either pasture or dense forest. This makes it a suitable place to keep livestock such as sheep and cattle which provide the world with Auvergnat cheeses which are some of France’s best.
On the valleys, you are sure to find towns offering great spa services. These towns Vichy, St-Nectaire and Le Mont-Dore offer exquisite experiences that will leave you yearning for more and causing you to never want to leave. St-Nectaire with its smooth cheese, Vichy with elegance that reminds you of times gone by and Le Mont-Dore, always enticing you with the numerous ski-resorts.
And just to show you how much this region, contributes to the rest of the world, there is Clermont-Ferrand, which is home to the tire-making giant, Michelin. Surprisingly, you would never make such a guess as you walk along the very narrow streets of this old town. If you’re looking to explore the puys to the north or even maybe visiting Vulcania, then Clermont-Ferrand is the town you want to start with while visiting the Massif Central.
For those who love travelling the great outdoors, the Massif Central feels like paradise with its extraordinary bike hiking and fabulous walking. It is in the Massif Central, that you find France’s largest environmentally protected area. This is because two large parks, the Parc Naturel Regional du Livradois-Forez and the Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne which showcase the environmental diversity in the Massif Central.
When visiting the Massif Central, it would be a crime not to visit the following sights as they embody the beauty of the area. The Cathedrale Notre Dame- which is a magnificent building that was built with magnificent stones that were quarried from the Volvic (which is nearby), the twin structures on the building were restored by the famously known Viollet-le-Duc. The Place de Jaude, is also highly recommended to visit, especially now that it has been recently pedestrianised. With its magnificent water fountains and the beautiful statue of Vercingetorix, the Celtic chief who almost made Julius Caesar’s conquest of the region of Gaul almost impossible.
If you are an art enthusiast, then you might want to visit the Musee d’Art Roger Quilliot. It houses a very fascinating collection of paintings, art objects, sculptures from the late Middle Ages all well chronologically arranged.
You need not worry of a place to cater for your accommodation while visiting Massif Central. A great range of hotels exist in order to make certain that your stay is as pleasurable as it ought to be. Happy tour of Massif Central.
