Volcanoes, mountains, lakes, valleys, rivers, forests – these are the images that first come to mind when you ask the French about Auvergne. Dubbed as “France’s best kept secret,” Auvergne is a seemingly endless stretches of vast green plains, winding rivers and countless summits of hills and volcanoes. Thanks to that, life in Auvergne is far different from the hustle and bustle of cities we’re accustomed to live in.

If you dream of a place where time passes by so slowly you can taste life’s little flavors then Auvergne is definitely for you.

As much as you’ll enjoy the restful pace of life in Auvergne, you might still be interested to try handfuls of nature adventures available.

Bike and hike practically anywhere in the region. Take the challenge and go hang gliding from volcanoes. The West of Auvergne is where most lakes and volcanoes can be found. The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park is the largest in France. Some 80 dormant volcanoes occupy Chaîne des Puys covering forty kilometers of space. The charm and mystery of these volcanoes will leave you dumbfounded: some catching you with their bell shapes and lush blanket appearance, others showing their inherent destructive nature through shattered craters.

In Northeast of Auvergne, Land of the Dukes of Bourbon provides a respite from mountainous adventures with its rich history and art. This land was the ancestral home of eight of the last Kings of France.

The Livradois-Forez area offers a totally different vista. Bridged together by the River Dore, Livradois and Monts du Forez are lands of grass, trees and luxurious wide-open spaces. Come aboard the kayak and sail quietly in the smooth waters of the river. After all’s said and done, what Auvergne really offers you is a true, relaxing vacation you deserve.