Massif Central at a Glance
The dignified region of Massif Central is home to the Parc
Naturel Regional des Volcans d'Auvergne, the largest national park in France.
Glacier lakes are filled at the feet of four volcanic mountains, whose molten
insides warm several thermal springs. Vichy's
mineral-rich waters are used for a number of different therapies, and are said
to cure everything from rheumatism to arthritis.
Capital city Clermont-Ferrand's
108 m (354 ft) tall Gothic Cathedral
is named after its host, and its exterior choir is decorated with a mosaic of
black and white stones. Sometimes referred to as the Ville Noir, several of
Clermont-Ferrand's older buildings are made of black volcanic rock. Michelin
was founded here, and once employed most of the city. The French say a house
in medieval Uzerche
would be a castle anywhere else, and its steep hills and dripping gardens provide
the perfect setting for the many stunning chateaus. Renaissance Salers'
homes have wonderful turrets, carved from local lava, and churches and cathedrals
teeter atop steep lava peaks in Le
Puy en Velay.
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