The Auvergne region lies just south of the centre of France. It is made up of the departments of Allier, Puy-de-Dome, Cantal and Haute-Loire. As the A75 motorway cuts through the region it is often simply driven through by motorists on their way to the southern coast, but it is a region not to be missed!

To the north, it is gently picturesque, well worth a stopover or a relaxing holiday, but continuing south, this is also Massif Central country, a huge, sparsely populated area rising onto a huge plateau, dotted with extinct volcanoes and gorges. Strung throughout the region is a series of well preserved medieval towns and cities such as Montlucon, Montpeyroux and Vichy.

If a stopover on the way south is what you are looking for, there are plenty of bed and breakfasts in the Auvergne, often in historic or period houses. As this is rural France, there is an abundance of rental properties - cottages or gites to rent, some with pools and many created out of converted barns or farm buildings. Look for places to stay with countryside views to make the most of this region!