Massif Central

There’s no such thing as an identity crisis in France’s Massif Central. Dominated by thick forest, rugged topography and snaking rivers, this long-standing region remains firmly rooted in the past. Though vast in size, few towns have managed to flourish on the unforgiving terrain, making the land itself the main attraction. Revel at lava pinnacles, crater lakes and fields of extinct volcanoes. Inspect untouched medieval architecture and hike through stunning gorges beneath windswept skies. The wonderfully empty roads are almost begging for an impromptu road trip. Wild and robust, Auvergne is the unexpected nucleus of the region. Take your pick from a healthy collection of hot springs, Romanesque churches and hiking trails. Thousands of acres of upland pasture and an equal number of cows to match are responsible for producing the town’s four great cheeses: Bleu d'Auvergne, Cantal, Fourme d'Ambert and Saint-Nectaire.

Albaret Sainte Marie

Albon

Alleyras

Alvignac

Aubiere

Aubusson

Aulnat

Aurillac

Avermes

Ayen

Baraqueville

Bassignac

Beaulieu Sur Dordogne

Besse-Et-Saint-Anastaise

Bias

Bonnat

Bourges

Bouzies

Brive

Brive-La-Gaillarde

Cajarc

Chamalieres

Champs Sur Tarentaine

Chatelguyon

Clermont-Ferrand

Correze

Donzenac

Entraygues-sur-Truyere

Espalion

Feytiat

Figeac

Fontanges

Gerzat

Gourdon

Gramat

Gueret

Issoire

La Bourboule

La Chatre

Lagarrigue

Laguiole

Lascabanes

Lauzerte

Lavoute-Chilhac

Le Lioran

Le Puy-En-Velay

Les Angles

Les Estables

Limoges

Loubressac

Lunion

Marmande

Marsolan

Martel

Millau

Monestier

Mont-Dore

Montlucon

Najac

Nedde

Neris Les Bains

Neuveglise

Nieul

Perignat Les Sarliev

Pougues Les Eaux

Rignac

Riom

Rocamadour

Rodez Aveyron

Royat

Saint Arcons D Allie

Salers

Soreze

Super-Besse

Tence

Terrasson-La-Villedieu

Thiers

Thuret

Treignac

Tulle

Ussac

Varetz

Vichy