From Auvergne to Limousin

Behind the town of Orsin begins the gentle mountains of Kreux Morel, which were formed as a result of volcanic activity. In 1977, this area was declared the Volcanoes of Auvergne Landscape Park (Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne).

Extinct from 7 to 250 thousand years ago, volcanoes formed several mountain ranges with altitudes from 800 to 1880 meters above sea level. In total, there are more than 80 volcanic cones in the park. This is a very picturesque area with many hiking trails.

Between the cones of volcanoes are numerous meadows where you can see herds of cows. The soil here is abundantly fertilized by volcanic emissions and very juicy grass grows on it.

The small town of Les Fontêtes, in addition to the surrounding volcanoes, has a beautiful church, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Eglise de la Nativité de la Bienheureuse Vierge Marie).

And more cows. Due to the presence of volcanic particles in the soil, cheese made from local milk has a special taste.

This region of France is considered sparsely populated, except for small towns and isolated farms on the mountain slopes, you can find secluded guest houses.

About an hour later, we crossed the border of another region, the name of which is known all over the world as a car body type. Indeed, the name is due to the fact that the first bodies of this type resembled the hoods of Limousin shepherds.

The region is almost entirely located within the Central Mountain Range, so there are large elevation differences.

The Limousin is sometimes called the" water tower " of France, because many small French rivers originate on its territory.