Viaduct Garabit

Park at the Garabit rest area on the A75 motorway from Paris for wonderful views of the Truyere Gorges traversed by the magnificent 500m Garabit Viaduct.

Built in 1884 by Gustave Eiffel shortly before he was commissioned to build the world famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. Take a sightseeing trip on the River Truyere to get another perspective.

Salers

Little changed since its importance as an administrative centre in the sixteenth century, this small Renaissance town is noted for its beautiful black basalt houses with their turrets (bartizans) and spiral staircases.

Extravagant buildings around place Tyssandier-d’Ecous display superb mullioned windows and carved lintels. Enjoy wonderful views from Promenade de Barrouze.

Visit the museum dedicated to the lyre-horned Salers cattle which produce milk for the famous Salers cheese. One of France’s oldest known cheeses, it is firm, with an aromatic flavour - made from cows’ milk in summer and best eaten between September and March.

Also look out for Salers aperitif, made from mountain gentian, and even Salers biscuits.

Vulcania

Europe’s largest volcanic theme park near Clermont-Ferrand. Take underground tours through lava tunnels and cross burning rivers. Experience the power of nature watching giant screen 3D films of earthquakes, tornadoes and volcanic eruptions. Children over 6 will love the interactive earthquake simulator. Find plenty to educate and enjoy all day, plus outdoor picnic area for lunch.

Volvic

This international brand of mineral water, first tapped in 1922, has its source close to the little town of the same name north of Puy de Dome.

Minerals filtered from the rock of nearby Puy de la Nugere, which last erupted in 5760 BC, give the spring water its unique flavour. The volcanic rock itself has been a local building material since the Middle Ages and was used on the black towers of Clermont Ferrand’s Cathedrale Notre Dame.

Visit ‘Maison de la Pierre’ close to the spring for guided tours of the lava quarries and slide show. 

Chateau d’Anjony

Perfectly restored fifteenth century castle perched on a rocky escarpment overlooking the Doire Valley. This architectural gem has a turbulent history due to an old vendetta between the d’Anjonys and neighbouring Tournemire family. Still owned by the d’Anjony family, the chateau has a rich interior decorated with remarkable sixteenth century frescoes.

Aurillac

Cantal’s capital is on the same latitude as Bordeaux and, despite being France’s premier umbrella making centre, has similar sunshine hours.

Once important for lace-making and tanning, the old town has been pedestrianised with good shops and large Wednesday and Saturday markets in place de l’Hotel-de-Ville.

Performers travel from all over Europe to the city’s August Festival of Street Theatre and there’s plenty to interest visitors all year in the Museum of Art and Archaeology and ‘Maison des Volcans’.