6 days ski ing and exploring in the Auvergne..France.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Just got back from my ski hols....

This year the snow is exceptionally good here in the Auvergne, (the Massif Central) in France.

Normally we go to the northern side of the mountain (Puy de Sancy) to the small town of Mont Dore, 4000 population and 40 restaurants the source of the Dordogne river..

But with the super snow we went instead to the much smaller station called Chastreix perched on the rim of the ancient volcano, giving an amazing view...




The ski station is small, but has 2 bars and a restaurant, plus ski hire etc..

All at very reasonable rates.. full day ski pass with insurance 20€....



There is no campsite as such, but there are 220 volt hookups.. first come first served... 8€ per night.

As you can see there were the usual flotilla of white mammoths...

Spot the T25 ....



There was just one other non mammoth:



Pretty home brew, but with the heater roaring away..

On the last day, as the weather had changed, I decided to visit some of the places I pass on the way home..saying.. I must go there one day..So...

The Tour d'Auvergne..



La Bourboule, a posh spa town with its Casino:



and great (for me) Art deco buildings from the late 1920's:



I love all the intricate ironwork..

They use the Fire brigade to remove the sheet ice on the high roofs:



And some great Brasseries, where the jazz festival was held all week:



Then on to Bort les Orgues..(les orgues being basalt cliff face columns looking a bit like organ pipes..)

Where they have their own mineral water cola..



There is a great view point..free...



And then on down river to see the gorges of the Dordogne, where there are hydro electric stations



15% of french electricity is HE, of which 85% is generated in our region..

The gorges of the Dordogne:



Then on home, 6 days, 300€, including jazz ski camping and restos..

All the Auvergne is worth visiting in Summer too...

Cordialement,

[AdrianC]

There was just one other non mammoth:

Oooh, looks lovely - can't quite see what it is... Renault?

and great (for me) Art deco buildings from the late 1920's:

Gorgeous!

Where they have their own mineral water cola..

Ah, now that's rather lovely, too!

[Ralf85]

You lucky lucky b""""""d and great photos. Blue sky and snow. What more could you want in Winter.

My daughter Jo has just come back from a skiing trip in France with her boyfriend. Lovely photos too. No suntan though. She said she kept her face covered up because she didn't want the reverse panda look created by goggles. Shame really. I was hoping to have had a serious chuckle.

[oorwullie]

that doesn't look like much snow there john.

let me know when it's all melted.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

I think I know this lovely river....

The irony is that when I was on holiday it was the 1/2 term break for all those angry '92' South Paris people, in their 80 000 € campers...

So where is the snow falling now... Plessy Robinson...in the 92, where the trains can't get back into Paris..

They could have stayed at home, avoiding the cost, stress, and having their 'zone' invaded by a cheeky red T25

Cordialement,