Massif Central Regional Guide

The Massif Central is right at the heart of France. This vast mountainous region was formed by massive volcanic upheaval and erosion by wind and water. The Massif Central offers rugged hills, cliff-top castles, long meandering rivers and spectacular limestone gorges, making it the perfect location for a relaxing or active holiday. A drive along the spectacular gorges gives breathtaking views at every corner.

The Massif Central is made up of extinct volcanoes and you can now find a theme park that has recently been opened in their honour, explaining how they came about 20 million years ago and giving a guided tour around one extinct volcano’s crater.
The environs of the Ardeche river in the Massif Central are becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination and the river itself is a magnet for canoeists.

With so many footpaths through the mountains, it is no surprise that walking is a very popular activity in the Massif Central, and mountain biking is another popular sport for visitors to the Massif Central. The Massif Central has several ski resorts, and cross-country skiing is particularly good here with most snow falling between January and March. There is a lot of water about as well, so fishing and other water-related sports are often practiced in the Massif Central.

The Massif Central is blessed with more than five hundred Romanesque churches, some of which are considered to be the best in France, ten spa towns and around fifty châteaux. It also has some very pretty villages. Well-known cheeses such as Cantal are made in the Massif Central, and wine is made at the ancient Saint-Pourçain vineyard.