Issue No. 12

Crédit: Comité Régional de Développement Touristique d'Auvergne BEROUJON-Pascale
Vichy
No visit to this area is complete without
taking in the lovely spa town of Vichy. The
spa tradition was introduced by the
Romans as well as at nearby Bourbon
l’Archambault and Mont-Dore, a tradition
that continues to delight 2000 years later.
Next morning I was in the nearby town of
Thiers. More than 60% of all the kitchen
knives used in France are made here and I
was not only able to visit a factory to watch
them being made but was able to make my
own.
Gastronomy for gourmets
Auvergne has many delights to please
foodies. Saint-Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert,
Cantal, Salers and Auvergne Blue Cheese
are some of the famous cheeses sold in all
the markets or you can buy direct from a
cave. On top of these specialities, you
have the top quality ‘charcuterie’, cured
meats, sausages, and a local andouillette
(though you need to be a fan of tripe to
enjoy that one). Don’t leave without trying
the traditional petit salé made with green
lentils from Le Puy or stuffed cabbages, or
truffade potato cakes. In autumn wild
mushrooms are used in many dishes –
guaranteed to titillate your taste buds.
The Auvergne is a real treat, a trip here
leaves you revitalised and re-energised
and there’s nowhere else quite like it.
Auvergne Tourist office website
Read more about Auvergne
Expat in Auvergne story Page 106