No love for the Auvergne?
Discussion
Just wondering? Currently on holiday at Chambon-sur-Lac about 30kms south of Clermont-Ferrand, and there are next to no British here at all, and I’m struggling to understand why.
The lakes are just as good as Annecy, the mountains are much more accessible, the Puy de Sancy and Mont-Dore are great walks, and the volcanoes at Puy de Dôme are a sight to see, and there is very little traffic.
All in all we’re having a great time! Did I mention the weather? 33 degrees today.
The lakes are just as good as Annecy, the mountains are much more accessible, the Puy de Sancy and Mont-Dore are great walks, and the volcanoes at Puy de Dôme are a sight to see, and there is very little traffic.
All in all we’re having a great time! Did I mention the weather? 33 degrees today.
I was lucky enough to live in Clermont Ferrand for 18 months about 30 years ago - and whilst Clermont was OK if you like Michelin factories, the surrounding areas were beautiful as you say. The views from Puy de Dome were spectacular and we used to play golf in Orcines on the shoulder of it with more fantastic views.
The old racing circuit at Charade is worth a look in wonderment at how the hell people used to race round it, and the local cheese (St Nectaire) tastes a lot better than it smells.
I just wouldn't bother with the local wine unless you want something to put on your chips.
I'm told Clermont itself is a bit of a hole these days, but the surrounding areas are well worth the visit.
The old racing circuit at Charade is worth a look in wonderment at how the hell people used to race round it, and the local cheese (St Nectaire) tastes a lot better than it smells.
I just wouldn't bother with the local wine unless you want something to put on your chips.
I'm told Clermont itself is a bit of a hole these days, but the surrounding areas are well worth the visit.
President Merkin said:
Love the place. You're right about the Annecy comparison too. Not been for a while but we used to head off to the dune de Pilat, about 15 miles west of Bordeaux & would always be the only British in town. Lots of hidden gems in France. Why am I telling people this? 
I think France is such a huge place, with so many interesting locations. The Dune de Pilat and Arcachon are really lovely, but as you say, not many Brits about. I have experienced the same in Burgundy and the Alsace (which is IMHO a real hidden jewel).Samcat said:
Just wondering? Currently on holiday at Chambon-sur-Lac about 30kms south of Clermont-Ferrand, and there are next to no British here at all, and I’m struggling to understand why.
The lakes are just as good as Annecy, the mountains are much more accessible, the Puy de Sancy and Mont-Dore are great walks, and the volcanoes at Puy de Dôme are a sight to see, and there is very little traffic.
All in all we’re having a great time! Did I mention the weather? 33 degrees today.
One of the reasons we moved to that area in 2015 was the natural beauty of the region ( with the added advantage of the lack of Brits living there )The lakes are just as good as Annecy, the mountains are much more accessible, the Puy de Sancy and Mont-Dore are great walks, and the volcanoes at Puy de Dôme are a sight to see, and there is very little traffic.
All in all we’re having a great time! Did I mention the weather? 33 degrees today.
As to the region, are you there next weekend ( 9th - 11th August ) as it's the Chambon Sur Lac hillclimb which is an awesome weekend if you like petrol fumes and burnt rubber with superb mountain scenery as a backdrop!
Well this is heartening to read, we will be between Montelimar and Aubenas in a couple of weeks time which I think just about qualifies as Auvergne, or at least close by (i have realised I will never grasp the range of complex and overlapping names of areas/regions/etc that seem to apply in France!)
Samcat said:
Just wondering? Currently on holiday at Chambon-sur-Lac about 30kms south of Clermont-Ferrand, and there are next to no British here at all, and I’m struggling to understand why.
The lakes are just as good as Annecy, the mountains are much more accessible, the Puy de Sancy and Mont-Dore are great walks, and the volcanoes at Puy de Dôme are a sight to see, and there is very little traffic.
All in all we’re having a great time! Did I mention the weather? 33 degrees today.
I have many happy memories of teenage summers spent on the campsite at the east end of the lake and in the surrounding area. Of all the regions of France that we visited back then it stood out as my favourite. I remember the water temperature in the lake being higher than the air temp back home, great for learning to windsurf, and watching people jumping off Puy de Dôme with parachutes blew my young mind! The French seem to know how to enjoy life.The lakes are just as good as Annecy, the mountains are much more accessible, the Puy de Sancy and Mont-Dore are great walks, and the volcanoes at Puy de Dôme are a sight to see, and there is very little traffic.
All in all we’re having a great time! Did I mention the weather? 33 degrees today.
We considered going there for a few nights on the way back up from Spain in September but have decided to go back to the Dordogne again, save Murol area for a longer visit.
Boxster5 said:
Dick & Angel Strawbridge from Escape to the Chateau did a programme Dick & Angel’s Secret France and it covered the Auvergne around Clermont-Ferrand - it was winter though so plenty of snow.
They got a train up to the summit of some mountain (sorry can’t remember where I’m afraid)
Probably the Puy-de-Dome, there's no vehicular access these days only the train.They got a train up to the summit of some mountain (sorry can’t remember where I’m afraid)
Bill said:
We're currently in the Dordogne and there's a surprising lack of Brits. Always thought it was very popular.
We’ve been going to the Dordogne mainly as a second holiday for nearly 20 years (not every year). However ee went for a week last year following a week on the west coast and the welcome from some establishments was to put it mildly ‘not very friendly’ and basically we don’t want Brits in here. We do speak French in all establishments. I just wonder whether there is some kind of backlash there to all the British. There is also the issue in France of parking a decent car in a country where they don’t seem to care for other people’s vehicles with doors being flung open causing damage.
It’s nice to read all your memories and positivity about the area.
We’ve just returned home and have created some happy memories, this was potentially our last full family holiday together, as the twins will be off to university next summer and have already made holiday plans with their youth groups for next year, and the eldest starts yr4 of her medical degree. I think we will definitely return.
We’ve just returned home and have created some happy memories, this was potentially our last full family holiday together, as the twins will be off to university next summer and have already made holiday plans with their youth groups for next year, and the eldest starts yr4 of her medical degree. I think we will definitely return.
I’ve (my parents, then me) had a house in the Auvergne since 2002. It’s a wonderful area, often looked down upon by the French - seen as being a bit backwards - and overlooked as a holiday destination.
Both of these are fine with me.
Only downside is that the weather is not a predictable as the south. Most summers are very warm or hot, but other times I’ve been outside in a cardigan!
Both of these are fine with me.
Only downside is that the weather is not a predictable as the south. Most summers are very warm or hot, but other times I’ve been outside in a cardigan!
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