Welcome to the deep heart of France - the departments of the Auvergne, the Centre, and the Limousin. It's an area that's not well-known to tourists, and even many French people don't know what a rich region this is. The Massif Central -- the chains of ancient volcanoes and mountains that make up the backbone of France -- dominates the skyline, while the cities and villages here often have histories that stretch back to the dawn of human populations. And almost everything in the area is easily accessible by train, airplane or car for a long weekend away from Paris!
The posts on this page will introduce you to the most interesting places we've encountered in our time living and traveling in this wild, lightly-populated corner of France.
Please scroll through the carousel below to find a place to explore for yourself.