For more information on the local area or France in general you'll find www.francethisway.com invaluable:

And these are some of the places we have personally visited. But the list is of course by no means complete and we are always happy to add places others have been to - just send a picture and a description to about@farmhousegite.com

Brioude - a very pleasant town for shopping and mooching around.

As with many French towns, there is some interesting architecture, and also an indoor swimming pool if you don't fancy the local swimming lakes.

Le Vernet la Varenne -  where you'll find the nearest swimming lake, which is where not only can you swim, but you can also use the  canoes and pedalos. The complex also has tennis courts, a café and a children's play area. There is a lovely path surrounding the whole complex which makes a very nice dog walk.

Issoire - the nearest/easiest to access town. Supermarkets (Carrefour) and superstores for DIY, furniture, clothes etc. are all on its outskirts. The centre of town is very quaint and is built around a central plaza. We can highly recommend the cave in the central plaza! Hopefully you'll never need it, but the nearest hospital is here in Issoire.

Ambert - for centuries was the centre of paper making in France and there is still a working paper mill just east of the town at the Richard de Bas Historical Museum of Paper. Ambert is also famous for its cheese which can be tasted and bought at the Maison de la Fourme d'Ambert. For those wanting to see the stunning Livradois National Forest Park you can catch the panoramic train at the station (gare) and for those with a bit more energy, there is a swimming lovely lake and play area or if you prefer a pool, there is an aqua park just south of Ambert on the D906. 

Le Chaise-Dieu - a touristy place, with one of the best sculpure/painters we've seen to date. The abbey church of St Robert is impressive as is the Salle de L'Echo. Apparently constructed so plague infected parishioners could still go to confession because if two people stand in opposite corners facing the wall, you can hear each other as clear as a bell. Quite spooky really, but good fun. Le Chaise-Dieu is also renown for its music festival held each August.

Mont-Dore - both a beautiful spa town and one of the very first french ski resorts. As a ski resort it's still in operation today and be clearly seen from the St Germain to Issoire road when covered in snow.

Saint Nectaire - a picturesque place and famous for its makers of a very tasty local cheese.

Lac Chambon - a lake where you can swim, canoe, relax, picnic etc. or sunbathe on the grass and the views are absolutely stunning. This is probably the nearest you'll get to "going to the beach" whilst in the middle of France. Plus it's on the same road as Saint Nectaire and Mont Dore so makes a perfect picnic spot.

Billom - the area is apparently renowned for garlic growing but we found Billom an interesting little place because of its medieval quarter. If you like markets there's one on a Monday morning, which is usually over by noon so make sure you get there early.

Thiers - one of the area's many medieval towns, Thiers is historically the country's greatest manufacturer of knives and still produces about 70% of knives made in France. It's built on the steep slopes of the valley of Durolle.

Clermont Ferrand - is the department capital and the place to go if you want to hit the shops. It's centre, the Place de Jaude, is surrounded by many impressive buildings and crisscrossed by modern day trams. It is also linked to Paris by the TGV (fast train).

Saint Germain l'Herm - the local town where you'll find the doctor, a dentist and several really good shops. You MUST have the bread - it's simply the best you'll ever taste!

Fayet Ronaye - just a short walk down the road, and although nothing more than a small hamlet in the mountains, this is where the Mairie (mayor) for Ardennes is located. There are some picturesque valley walks which start here.

Boudes - the local wine producing village. All the producers are happy for you to try (dégustation) so be prepared to get sloshed! (If you wanted to be prepared before you go, you will find a book on Côtes d'Auvergne wine in the box near the wood burner.)

Super Besse and Besse-en-Chandesse - the other side of the mountain to Mont Dore, Super Besse is essentially just a ski village, although there are plenty of cafés and shops selling ski wear. The pass between both resorts is spectacular, although this is usually closed during the winter as it becomes too dangerous to use due to its altitude. The old town of Besse-en-Chandesse is a beautiful traditional village selling local produce as well as touristy gifts and outdoor clothes.

Le Puy en Velay -capital of the Haute-Loire region and famed for its churches perched on the top of mini mountains. Like many places in the area, it has a lovely medieval quarter. It is also in this region that puy lentils are grown.

Millau Viaduct - from valley to its top, it's taller than the Eiffel Tower. A wonder of the modern world. And the motorway (A75) on the way down is a treat - climbs to over 1100 metres which is higher than the highest mountain in England!

Prior to the viaduct, all traffic had to go down into the valley to the town of Millau below. The town has had an active leather industry since the 12th century.

St Flour - an impressive fortified town on the top of a hill, with stunning views of the countryside around it.