Region areas
The region of Auvergne is organized into 4 departments, each with its own attractions and beauties. The best known however is Allier, which is the most productive agricultural department of Auvergne. Also Allier is famous for the city of Vichy, which was the seat of the government in World War II.
Allier
Allier is the most productive agricultural area of the Auvergne. Vichy has long been known for its water, which is exported worldwide. Montlucon, Vichy, and Moulins are the principal cities. The rest of the department consists of smaller towns, mostly along the rivers. In general, the department is sparsely populated.
Cantal
Located in the Parc Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne, the Cantal is a department of little urbanization. It is one of the most isolated and unpopulated French departments. Its capital, Aurillac, is the farthest departmental capital from a motorway in France.
Haute-Loire
Haute-Loire is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Auvergne, Languedoc, and Lyonnais. The Haute-Loire is covered by more than 700 rivers, divided between the basins of the Allier and the Loire.
Puy-de-Dome
The department is in the Massif Central and boasts more than 80 volcanic craters. It is 3 hours from Paris and 1 hour from Lyon by highways A71 and A72. The A75 links it to the Mediterranean Sea. Originally, the department was to be called Mont d’Or, but this was judged not to be a very egalitarian name.