Its deep, smiling valleys and rugged mountain peaks are readily accessible to excursionists—thanks to the good roads—and are known to motorists the world over.
After world-renowned Vichy, the thermal stations of La Bourboule, Mont-Dore and St. Nectaire—all within easy distance of one another—merit the tourist’s attention.
Other places of interest are: Thiers (celebrated for its cutlery) and La Chaise-Dieu (14th-century Abbey with incomparable tapestries).
Riom, with its ancient churches and ruined Abbey of Mozac; Châtel-Guyon, famous for its mineral springs; Royat, modern watering-place (hot mineral springs), near to Clermont-Ferrand, capital of Auvergne, with its magnificent cathedral of Notre-Dame and old Roman Church of Notre-Dame du Port. Situated at the foot of the Puy-de-Dôme, the highest of a range of extinct volcanoes (altitude 4,500 ft.), Clermont-Ferrand is a favourite centre for excursions.
Nor should Issoire and Le Puy be forgotten. The latter, one of the most remarkable cities of France, contains the famous Château de Chavagnac, birthplace of the illustrious La Fayette, equally dear to all liberty-loving peoples.
In the district of Le Cantal are the delightful valleys of the Cère, Jordanne, Moers and Maroune. The thermal springs of Vic-sur-Cère and the health resort of Le Lioran (altitude 3,500 ft.) are amongst their numerous attractions.
Equally interesting are Aurillac, Mauriac and St. Flour, the latter with its “sky-scraper” viaduct bridge of Garabit.
The ancient city of Salers is well known to archæologists and artists.
FOR ALL TOURIST INFORMATION, WRITE TO
THE “TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE”
65, Avenue de la Grande Armée,
PARIS, 16ème