MASSIF CENTRAL FAQ`S
The Massif Central is particularly known for its beautiful natural environment, its rivers, forests, lakes and mountains, wildlife, and its peace and quiet. With hundreds of miles of marked trails, it is very popular with hikers and ramblers. The mountains are crossed by numerous hiking trails/footpaths, notably by the Santiago trail (FR 65), which starts out from the small cathedral city of Le Puy en Velay, but there are also hundreds of short local hiking circuits.
What is the best way to get to the Massif Central area?
This area was one of the least accessible parts of France. Today it is crossed by two motorways, the A20 between Limoges and Toulouse, and the A75 from Clermont-Ferrand to Beziers that run north to south. The northern part of the Massif-Central is crossed east-west by the A89 Lyon - Clermont - Ferrand - Bordeaux motorway.
There is fast rail access from Paris (intercity expresses, but no TGVs) to Clermont Ferrand, in the Auvergne, and Limoges and Brive la Gaillarde in the Limousin.
The Massif Central area has four international airports: Clermont Ferrand, Rodez, Brive la Gaillarde and Limoges, which are served by seasonally operating low-cost carriers from the UK. Most fligths to France from the U.S. land in Paris. If you are heading directly to the Massif Central, you can either take a one-hour flight from Paris to Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport or take the Corail Auvergne train, a three-and-a-half-hour trip.
The Massif Central area is such an extensive region, so it would take a lot of time to fully explore the entire area. The nature of the terrain means that roads can be slow and sometimes steep and narrow, even between towns that appear to be close on the map.
What is the best time to visit?Because of the altitude the weather can be cold and wet for a majority of the year, which makes the season for visiting the region shorter than other parts of France. The best time to visit is between late June and early September to enjoy the best weather.
What are the top towns/cities in Massif Central?
The entire area has only three large cities: Saint Etienne, Clermont Ferrand, and Limoges, all of them lying on the edge of the area. In the heart of the Massif Central, there are only two towns, Aurillac and Greater Rodez. The central area is a lot of wide open spaces with small towns and villages, hamlets and isolated farmsteads.
In addition to the three cities listed above that are located in the Massif Central region itself, there are a number of other major cities that are situated just outside the range. This includes: Montpellier, Lyon, and Nimes.
Depending on the scenic highlights of each region and department withing the Massif Central will be a large determination of where to stay. Once you have figured out the area you plan to visit you can find out more information about accommodations in that department.
If you prefer an active urban area, Clermont-Ferrand is the Auvergne's largest city. It is an ancient city going back to Roman times. Another larger city is Moulins, which is the capital of the Bourbonnais region and has a medieval cathedral with beautiful stained-glass windows. Vichy is best-known for its hot springs and boasts lovely Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings. You can also find belle epoque hotels in Saint-Necaire, the town for which the Auvergne's famous cheese is named.
The Massif Central area is not as well-known as the Alps when it comes to skiing in France, but it does offer some great resorts.
One popular resort is Super Besse, which is located in the commune of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise in Puy-de-Dome on the slopes of Puy de Sancy. It offers 27 different trails and 21 ski lifts. The resort also has 78 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails.
Another great resort in the Massif Central is Le Lioran, which is located in Cantal. It is one of the most modern and developed ski resorts in the Massif Central with 45 downhill ski trails, 15 cross-country ski trails, and 19 lifts, as well as various lodges and restaurants.
Some other smaller resorts include: Le Mont-Dore, Chalmazel, Laguiole, and La Croix de Bauzon.
French is the official language spoken in in this part of France. You will find that some of the younger population is bilingual in French and English. It's best to learn a few phrases and pick up a good English-French guidebook or app on your phone to help you get around. And familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What is the currency in France? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?In France, the currency is the euro, and travelers can exchange their dollars for euros at the airport exchange booths or kiosks throughout the region. Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. When it comes to tipping, visitors should note that service charges are usually included on restaurant bills, though it is common to round out the bill with a small tip. Tipping hotel staff a euro or two for their services is also customary.
What should I do if I need medical assistance?In an emergency dial 112 is the general emergency services number or 114 for hearing assistance.