Massif Central (France)

[backjustforaminute]

Has anyone been? What did you think? Is it nice for walking and sightseeing, and is there anything to do if you've had enough of the great outdoors? (thinking of the dc here!)

I live in France & want to go somewhere mountainy for a week or so this summer, but all the french people I've spoken to about the Massif central have declared that it is 'un trou paumé'

Any opinions?

I went camping in the Puy de Dome area many, many years ago (1977) and loved it. I can't remember the name of the village we were near, but remember visiting the Puy de Dome and generally exploring the local towns, villages and countryside. The nearest city was Clermont-Ferrand but we only passed through it because we arrived by train. This tells you a little more about the region.

Further south in the Languedoc-Roussillon region there is loads and loads to see and do. OH and I stayed in a village in the Gard region near St Ambroix in 1992 and 1993 - we went back because we liked the area so much. The Cevennes national park is stunning, and the highlight the Ardeche gorge is not to be missed. It is a part of the world I would happily revisit.

ooh thankyou that sounds promising, I like the look of the Cevennes national park... off to do some research :)

We went to Puy-de-Dome last year. We liked it but we like lost holes The scenery is amazing. We went onto Corrèze afterwards and took the scenic route through the Cantal. I would have loved to have seen more of the Cantal.

We hired a donkey to accompany one of our walks which made it more fun. Donkey carries your bags and the children take turn in leading/riding.

I can't think of any indoor activities though apart from the volcano exploration centre and there was a dam you could visit the workings of. What sort of thing do you mean?