The most stunning villages of the Auvergne area | EUROtoday

There are locations in France that may really feel like a spot that point forgot. Photographer Jeremy Flint explores essentially the most stunning villages of the Auvergne area.

Auvergne is a land of excellent nature, the Chaîne des Puys (some 80 volcanoes) is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, there are lakes, forests and castles; sheep and cows roam the delicate rolling pastured meadows and charming medieval cities and villages with Romanesque church buildings dot the panorama. Exploring its little-known wonders by automotive is likely one of the finest methods to find this space of ​​beautiful pure magnificence and wealthy cultural heritage.

Salers, Cantal

Salers is formally one in all France’s most stunning villages, and one in all 11 labeled Plus Beaux Villages de France in Auvergne. Home to the 13^th century church of Saint-Mathieu, carved out of lava stone, Salers has magnificent medieval turreted structure and cobblestone streets that take you again to the Middle Ages. This good-looking village within the hills can also be identified for its breed of hardy, mahogany-colored cows which produce scrumptious Salers cheese, a favourite of King Louis XIV, and which is claimed to have been produced within the area for a minimum of 2000 years.

Tournemire, Cantal

South of Salers within the Doire valley, Tournemire is one other nice instance of France’s most stunning villages. Perched on a hillside, guests can benefit from the well-preserved Chateau d’Anjony, which was constructed round 1430 by Louis d’Anjony, one in all Joan of Arc’s companions, beautiful medieval homes, the Gorges de la Jordanne and immersive climbing routes via the encompassing pure magnificence.

Puy Mary, Cantal

Head east in the direction of Murat, the highway from Salers is likely one of the most stunning in Cantal, taking you thru a scenic panorama with jaw-dropping views of the Cantal massif (a hiker’s paradise) to the summit of the 1783m excessive Puy Mary, a ‘Grand Site of France’, Europe’s largest volcano and extinct for two million years. The Pas de Peyrol ascent is a favourite climb of the Tour de France – the best crossroads within the Massif Central mountain vary at an altitude of 1588 meters.

Murat, Cantal

Murat is a picturesque medieval city and labeled ‘Small City of Character (small city of character) on the foot of the Rocher de Bonnevie (Bonnevie Rock) which is topped by a statue of Our Lady of Haute-Auvergne. Climb the hill for 360° views of the Cantal Volcano and the magnificent stone-roofed homes under, a attribute of the area. Wander the outdated city and soak within the websites together with the Collegiate Church of Our Lady and the consular home, one in all Murat’s gems with its Renaissance facade product of sculpted stone. And do not miss the close by spectacular 12^th century Saint-Pierre de Bredons church surrounded by mountains.

Saint-Flour, Haute-Loire

Continuing east, the spectacular hill-top city of Saint-Flour is a must-visit. Split into two, Saint-Flour’s higher half was constructed on a lava circulate that solidified 4 million years in the past. The city hosts a wealth of architectural wonders together with a good looking medieval centre, ramparts, fortifications, St Peter’s Cathedral, and the 14^th century La Halle aux Blés, a church transformed to artwork exhibition house. The views are even higher from the bridges of the decrease a part of Saint Flour. Here reclusive ladies as soon as lived in a tower on the bridge to hope for defense of the city. The close by Garabit viaduct railway bridge is one other marvelous feat of engineering, constructed by Gustave Eiffel and in use from 1884 to 2009!

Le Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire

Le Puy-en-Velay, constructed on volcanic slopes, is famend for its spectacular skyline of three imposing rock pillars topped by the Tenth-century chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, a preferred pilgrimage website for hundreds of years and visited by 13 French Kings together with Charlemagne and St Louis; a statue of the Virgin Mary erected in 1860 which is a whopping 22.5m excessive and weighs 835 tons; plus the UNESCO-listed twelfth century Romanesque Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral. Surrounded by three Natural Regional Parks, the realm is known for the inexperienced lentils grown right here. In 951, the archbishop Godescalc set off from Le Puy-en-Velay to Santiago de Compostela. As the primary French pilgrim, he mapped the route that’s nonetheless taken right this moment.

Blesle, Haute-Loire

Medieval Blesle, one other most stunning village with a wealthy historical past, most well-known for its Abbey which was based by Countess Ermengade who arrange a Benedictine Community for ladies in 849 – however just for ladies who had a minimum of 4 generations of aristocracy on their father’s facet! In the guts of a valley, the city has well-preserved structure together with a Romanesque church, and medieval timber framed homes and renaissance facades. It’s additionally dwelling to an uncommon museum in a former 16^th century hospital – the Musée de la Coiffe et du Costume Traditionnel exhibition contains a number of hundred bonnets and hats of the Auvergne type. The small resort La Bougnate within the coronary heart of the village supplies a fantastic place to remain, eat and chill out. Enjoy the recent air and fabulous meals from the Michelin listed restaurant on the shaded terrace with basic regional dishes made out of native merchandise, like foie gras and duck with honey sauce.

Lavaudieu, Haute-Loire

On the banks of the River Senouïre, Lavaudieu is a pleasant conventional (Plus Beaux) village, set in rolling countryside. It has a singular character and appeal with its Benedictine abbey that homes a exceptional Romanesque cloister. Just a couple of kilometers away Brioude, in what was known as the “Valley of God”, is one other Romanesque treasure – the Basilica of Saint-Julien Basilica has a exceptional mosaic ground, well-preserved Byzantine-style frescoes, and notable artworks (guided excursions solely).

Issoire, Puy-de-Dôme

Visit fairly Issoire to purchase the area’s finest cheeses from the third era fromagerie Houlbert cheese store earlier than gazing on the 12^th century Romanesque Church of Saint-Austremoine and scaling the traditional clock tower for magnificent 360-degree views.

Montpeyroux, Puy-de-Dôme

Just to the north, the picturesque medieval hilltop village of Montpeyroux in Puy de Dome is an excellent sight from afar. Built on a hill on the banks of the Allier River, many artists and artisans have lived within the labyrinth of alleys lined with stone homes constructed by wealthy native wine retailers of the previous. Climb to the highest of the 33-meter medieval hold (‘Dungeon’) to admire the views and benefit from the many artisan and craft retailers within the village.

Puy de Dôme

Finally, wander the land of volcanoes alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Chaîne des Puys with its domes, craters, and breath-taking views. At the Puy de Dome volcano not removed from the capital of the area, Clermont-Ferrand, you’ll be able to hike to the highest (about 2 hours) through the marked, former 6km lengthy Muletiers Path of which it is stated was the route taken by pilgrims on donkeys to succeed in the Roman Temple of Mercury on the prime. Or take the 15-minute practice journey to the summit, chill out and benefit from the views.

Cheese route

Auvergne’s ‘Route des Fromages AOP d’Auvergne’ is irresistible for any cheese lover and an excellent technique to benefit from the native gastronomy. Many producers and breeders open their doorways to guests, providing a journey to the guts of cheesemaking and the easiest of Auvergne’s cheeses. La Grange de la Haute Vallée farm close to Murat produces 4 of the 5 AOP (protected designation of origin) cheeses of Auvergne – Blue d’Auvergne, Salers, Cantal and blue Fourme d’Ambert. To get hold of the Protected Designation of Origin (AOP label) Allain, the proprietor should adhere to particular manufacturing standards associated to the geographical origin, milk sourcing, and manufacturing course of. The AOP letters assure ancestral know-how, experience, and high-quality cheese.

At the farm, 40 Montbéliarde cows graze on pure meadows. Cantal and Salers cheese are made out of uncooked milk, and it takes 400 liters to make 40kg. Three sorts of Cantal cheese are made: a younger (aged for 1-2 months), a medium (aged 3-7 months) and outdated (aged 8 months). Salers cheese takes 7 months to age and has the consistency of a mature cheddar. The blue cheeses have much less milk and are extra creamy, delicate, and barely salty, spending 5 days within the growing old room and 28 days in a cellar to mature. The Blue d’Auvergne is stronger, and pairs finest with a candy white wine, scrumptious!

Saint Nectaire followers will love the GAEC of Thrones farm in Saint-Diéry. Their AOP (Protected – an indication of high quality) cheese is made out of the unpasteurized milk of 51 cows which feed on flowers. Using conventional manufacturing processes of renneting, curdling, molding, salting and urgent, the cheese is then matured in a cellar. In the center ages, peasants paid the native lord in cheese referred to as rye cheese because it was matured on rye straw, however it took the title Saint-Nectaire when cheese loving Louis XIV took an actual fancy to it.

This pretty, pickled previously and never well-known a part of France is right for many who love nature, historic villages and gastronomy.

Find out extra at: auvergnerhonealpes-tourisme.com/en

Jeremy Flint is an award-winning skilled photographer and author specializing in journey, panorama and site pictures.

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