The historical region of central France is called Auvergne. With extensive forests, dormant volcanoes like the Puy de Dôme and mountains, the rugged, mostly rural area is a popular hiking and skiing area. Natural hot springs abound and have given rise to resort towns such as Vichy, famous for their mineral water. The capital, Clermont-Ferrand, is a thriving university town with the large
The historical region of central France is called Auvergne. With extensive forests, dormant volcanoes like the Puy de Dôme and mountains, the rugged, mostly rural area is a popular hiking and skiing area. Natural hot springs abound and have given rise to resort towns such as Vichy, famous for their mineral water. The capital, Clermont-Ferrand, is a thriving university town with the large Romanesque church of Notre-Dame du Port.