Limousin and Auvergne
The regions of Limousin and Auvergne make up part of the great Massif Central, an area of wild beauty with enormous, extinct volcanoes, windswept plains, and river-cut canyons.
Romans, Visigoths, Saracens, Catholics and Huguenots have all battled over the region, as attested by the scattering of castle ruins. Splendid Romanesque churches sit in town squares. The area has always been a crossroads for pilgrims, both ancient and modern.
Many visitors overlook the area in their rush to France's south. Country roads are delightfully uncongested, and villages haven't completely given over to the tourist euro. If you appreciate natural beauty, lots of outdoor activities, and rural simplicity, you won't be disappointed by spending some time here.
Castle Hotels of Limousin
Château de Castel Novel
Castle Hotels of Auvergne
Château de Codignat
Château de la Vigne
Le Chastel Montaigu
Go to a different region
Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées
Centre and Pays de la Loire
Languedoc-Roussillon
Normandy
Poitou-Charentes
Provence-Alpes and Côte d'Azur
Rhône-Alpes
Some great reasons to visit
(check out the links page to the left for further information)
LIMOUSIN
Limoges is world famous for its fine enamelwork and porcelain. The best place to start is at the Musée National de la Porcelaine Adrien-Dubouché, which has over 10,000 pieces on display, and the Musée de l'Evêché-de-Limoges.
The medieval villages of Corrèze are charming places in which to pass an idyllic afternoon. Uzerche, Turenne, and Collonges-la-Rouge are good for starters.
AUVERNGE
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne You don't have to be a vulcanologist to appreciate the special scenery in this nature park. Eighty volcanoes, dormant for about 5000 years, have their craters, domes, and dikes all on display for the curious. Puy de Dôme, at 1465 m (4800 ft), has a road that spirals up to the peak. At the summit you have not only a fantastic view and a telecommunications tower but the traces of a Roman temple devoted to Mercury.
Vichy The hot and cold springs in this fashionable spa town have been popular since Roman times. The Parc des Sources in the center of town is filled with Belle Époque charm and an old-fashioned bandstand that presents afternoon concerts in season.
Le Puy-en-Velay Situated in the bowl of a volcanic cone, the little town of Le Puy appears to have three peaks, each topped by a religious structure. The medieval section of town has not changed much in 800 years. Le Puy is also considered a pilgrimage center because of its famous Black Madonna in the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame, built on an early pagan site.
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