The Property
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Location
The Cantal - This South Western department of The Auvergne is much bleaker and more austere than the rest of The Auvergne and is the least populated, possibly due to comparatively poor road links giving the area a more remote feel than the rest of the region.
It is an area of dramatic beauty with vast open granite plateaus rising to the highest points of Puy Mary and The Plomb de Cantal (1855m) in The Sancy Mountains. This region borders the Puy de dome department and is home to a popular winter sports area of Le Lioran.
It is also an area of Volcanism and testimony to this is the Village of Chaude-Aigues which is home to the hottest natural spring in Europe which maintains a temperature of 82 degrees centigrade and whose hot water is distributed freely throught the Village's homes. The region attracts many walkers and outdoor enthusiasts on it's many walks and trails keen to observe the many rare species of plants and animals only to be found in such a truly natural environment. It is an area famous for it's production of cheese and the abundance of chestnuts grown on its forested hillsides which are used in the region's simple but delicious traditional cuisine.
The Haute-Loire - This department is geographically at the South East of The Auvergne but is often referred to as 'Middle Auvergne' and it is home to many Chateaus which were amongst the first to be built along the banks of the River Loire which runs through the department form it's source in The Ardeche.
It is an area of high plateaus, forests and gorges and is also volcanic but with a quite distinct geography in the west to the east. The Western Volcanic plateau is comprised of the remains of over 100 volcanoes which gives way in the east to the agricultural plateaus and valleys which lead to the Cevennes in the South.
The City of Puy en Velay which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site is probably the region's most popular attraction and is one starting point on the infamous Pilgrim Route to Santiago de Compostela.
The City was a major Bishopric in Mediaeval France and occupies a truly stunning position dominated by twin volcanic peaks rising dramatically from the City floor one of which houses the Cathedral, 10th Century Chapel and the other a Statue of The Virgin Mary.It is also famous for lentil production which is popular in it's traditional rustic cuisine.
The Cantal and the Haut-Loire
