Awesome Auvergne

With stunning volcanic countryside, rural communities and a wealth of things to do for the whole family, Auvergne is a land of plenty, says Sophie Gardner-Roberts, and it’s attractively affordable too

- Sophie Gardner-Roberts

For many, Auvergne is either a region they cross when heading south, a kind of frontier land before reaching the sparkling Mediterranean coast and its lapis lazuli-coloured sea, or a holiday destination where they run around scaling summits, discovering valleys and plunging into volcanic lakes while taking in the emerald green landscapes before returning home. However, make this the destination rather than a stopping point on the journey, and you’ll find the rewards are endless.

This is a land shaped by millennia-old – and thankfully dormant – volcanoes, where the ‘great outdoors’ finds its true meaning in vast open plateaux, towering volcanic summits, mist-shrouded hills and evergreen forests. Pardon the overused expression, but Auvergne really is a hidden gem, and sadly (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), can often be overlooked as a place to settle down.

Before it was incorporated into the larger Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (becoming the third largest region in France), Auvergne was actually one of the smallest regions in the country, and today still remains one of the least populated areas of France. With so much more space on offer, not to mention the added benefits of rivers to swim in, mountains to climb and trails to hike on the doorstep, it’s sure to appeal to those feeling hemmed in by overcrowded towns and cities in the UK, and looking for somewhere to escape from the rat race.

Although Auvergne offers the possibility to live in rural seclusion, the charming villages and small towns that dot the region are by no means isolated, with a good transport infrastructure and amenities also supported by tourism. And then there are the property prices, which are among the lowest in France. According to Notaires de France figures, the four departments that make up the old Auvergne region all have average prices of €150,000 or less.