Auvergne Rhône-Alpes
Volcanoes of Auvergne
Puy de Sancy, Puy de Dôme, Monts Dore, the gentle slopes of Auvergne’s extinct volcanoes give the region an air of wild Tuscany. A Unesco World Heritage site, the Chaîne des Puys natural park is a dream destination for hikers and volcanologists of all ages. Just 15 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, a visit to the Lemptégy volcano offers a unique insight into one of these great sleepers. We’ll be careful not to wake them.
Auvergne volcanoes, ©iStock
Jean Moulin, figure of the Resistance
"Enter here, Jean Moulin, with your terrible retinue...". In 1966, André Malraux, Minister of Culture, paid tribute to the memory of one of the greatest figures of the Resistance, Jean Moulin, assassinated by the Gestapo in Lyon. It was a landmark speech, inscribing in the national memory the sacrifice of those who opposed the Nazi occupiers. Jean Moulin, or the need to disobey.
Jean Moulin, by the Harcourt studio, public domain
La Chaise-Dieu classical music festival
Since 1966, the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu has attracted thousands of music lovers to the heart of the Haute-Loire highlands. The Gothic Abbey of Saint-Robert, an exceptional heritage steeped in spirituality, is said to offer astonishing acoustics to guest artists of international renown. The warm, family atmosphere, combined with the demanding program, makes for an exceptional end-of-summer experience for festival-goers.
Concert at Hôtel Dieu, public domain
Musée des confluences in Lyon
Like Lyon’s two rivers, the Saône and Rhône, the musée des Confluences stands at the crossroads of worlds and knowledge. Heir to five centuries of collections, the futuristic architecture of this establishment offers several distinct exhibitions. From the origins of Neanderthal to the "wonders and mysteries of the living world" and the "theater of man", the museum today questions the workings of our societies. A fascinating and scholarly visit, which is sometimes disturbing.
Camarasaurus (detail), public domain
Cheeses from Auvergne, no better
Cantal, Saint-Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert, Bleu d’Auvergne, Salers, no doubt you’re in appellation d’origine contrôlée, AOP heaven. Five cheeses and three letters to guide your choice before buying a good French cheese. Here in the Auvergne, pastures retain their former quality and farmers perpetuate their ancestral know-how. Exceptional gastronomy for discerning gourmets.
Saint-Nectaire, public domain
