Set in the heart of the Massif Central, the Auvergne is made up of four departments (Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, the Haute-Loire or Upper Loire and Cantal) which are among the least densely populated in France, now that many young people have left the area. There is only one city of more than 250,000 people ­ Clermont-Ferrand, known for tyre manufacture, thanks to the Michelin factories.

Paragliding in the Auvergne volcanoes regional park

The Auvergne is an agricultural region, with more livestock than arable farmers, but it is also popular with tourists, on account of its volcanoes, lakes and thermal springs.