Massif Central

Massif Central

The Massif Central is a vast area dominated by ancient and now extinct volcanoes. This land of hills and valleys is France’s largest pasture : permanent grassland extends over 1.4 million ha. It also hosts the Sommet de l’Elevage, Europe’s largest livestock show.

Crop
Crop

In fertile plains like the Limagne, wheat grows over 112 000 ha, reaching yields as high as in highly specialized cereal plains.

Livestock
Livestock

Most farmers own beef cattle, proudly rearing the local Limousine, Charolaise, Montbeliarde, Aubrac or Salers breeds. Both hardy and highly productive, the Limousine breed was born here, and its genetic improvement is assured by passionate farmers and skilful institutions. 10 000 farms rear around 610 000 sheep in Massif Central

Every year in October, Clermont Ferrand hosts the Sommet de l’élevage, Europe’s number one livestock show. During 3 days, cattle competitions, technical visits and conferences testify of the intense breeding activity in the area. Meet with some of the 1 300 exhibitors and 85 000 professional visitors, benefit from a unique opportunity to visit farms and agro-industrial sites, and enjoy the VIP reception for international visitors !

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Cheese
Cheese

Pastures are also the source of a rich milk, produced by the local herds of cows. If most dairy farms deliver their milk to the cooperative or to a contractor. Cheeses like Cantal or Saint-Nectaire are the result of skilful on-farm processing techniques and strict breeding standards. In the mountainous parts of the region, 56% of the dairy farmers are engaged into a quality designation.

Sightseing
Sightseing

Many villages of Massif Central are considered to be among the most beautiful in France. Collonges-la-Rouge is a remarkable village of narrow streets, entirely built with red sandstone and with roofs of blue slates.

From Clermont-Ferrand, one cannot miss the majestic Puy de Dôme, the highest volcano of the chain. Volcanoes offer a unique scenery for hikers, and the thermal waters of Vichy are most welcome to relax after a long day outside !

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Gastro
Gastro

Do not miss the opportunity to taste some aligot ! This fondue-like dish is made from cheese blended into mashed potatoes with butter and garlic. Its smooth, somehow elastic texture, is highly appreciated in the local gastronomy with Toulouse sausages or roast pork.

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Crop
Crop
Sugar cane, banana, pineapple
Sightseing
Sightseing
cruising, distillery
Gastro
Gastro
Accras de morue, ti-punch
Crop
Crop
Sugar cane, vegetable, vanilla
Sightseing
Sightseing
vulcanoe Piton de La Fournaise, cruising
Gastro
Gastro
rougail, punch
Crop
Crop
fruit, olive, citrus, kiwi, chestnut
Livestock
Livestock
small beef cattle, dairy sheep, goat, extensive pig
Cheese
Cheese
Brocciu
Sightseing
Sightseing
Bonifacio, Calvi
Gastro
Gastro
Corsican pork
Crop
Crop
Durum wheat, rice, olive, vegetables, flowers
Livestock
Livestock
sheep
Wine
Wine
rosé de Provence
Sightseing
Sightseing
Camargue, Calanques, Aix en Provence, Avignon
Gastro
Gastro
Bouillabaisse, ratatouille, tapenade
Crop
Crop
Fruit, lavender
Livestock
Livestock
Mountain cattle dairy
Cheese
Cheese
Rebelochon, Tommes, Beaufort
Sightseing
Sightseing
Annecy, Lyon, Mont Blanc
Gastro
Gastro
Tartiflette, fondue savoyarde, bouchons lyonnais cuisine
Crop
Crop
wheat
Livestock
Livestock
Limousine, Aubrac, Salers cattle breed, sheep,
Cheese
Cheese
Roquefort, Saint Nectaire, Cantal
Sightseing
Sightseing
Auvergne vulcanoes
Gastro
Gastro
Aligot
Crop
Crop
Sunflower, corn, vegetable, fruit
Livestock
Livestock
Sheep, milk feed veal, duck
Wine
Wine
Bordeaux, Languedoc, Cognac
Cheese
Cheese
Pyrenees Tomme, Rocamadour
Sightseing
Sightseing
Bordeaux, Toulouse, Arcachon bay, Carcassonne
Gastro
Gastro
cassoulet, duck liver, truffles
Crop
Crop
Cereals, plants, seeds, vegetable, apple
Wine
Wine
Loire Valley wines
Cheese
Cheese
Sainte Maure de Tourraine
Sightseing
Sightseing
Chenonceau castle, Chartres cathedral
Gastro
Gastro
Fouée, rillettes
Crop
Crop
Cereals, red smal berries
Livestock
Livestock
Charolaise cattle, Montbéliarde dairy
Wine
Wine
Burgundy wine
Cheese
Cheese
Comté
Sightseing
Sightseing
Beaune Hospices, Burgundy wine route
Gastro
Gastro
œufs meurettes, bœuf bourgignon, coq au vin
Crop
Crop
Corn, hops
Livestock
Livestock
Dairy cattle
Wine
Wine
Alsacian Riesling, Gerwurztraminer
Sightseing
Sightseing
Strasbourg, Alsacian wine route, WW1 Battlefields
Gastro
Gastro
Choucroute, Quiche
Crop
Crop
Wheat, barley, rapeseed, hemp, potato, vegetable field crop
Livestock
Livestock
Fish
Wine
Wine
Champagne
Cheese
Cheese
Maroilles, Brie de Meaux
Sightseing
Sightseing
Reims, Lille, Chantilly
Gastro
Gastro
Andouillette, truffles, game meat
Crop
Crop
Cereal, textile linen
Livestock
Livestock
Cattle dairy Normande, race horse
Wine
Wine
Apple cider, Calvados brandy
Cheese
Cheese
Camembert, Pont l’Eveque
Sightseing
Sightseing
WWII landing beach, Honfleur, Etretat, Monet gardens
Gastro
Gastro
Oysters, mussels
Crop
Crop
Vegetables
Livestock
Livestock
Dairy cattle, pigs, poultry,
Sightseing
Sightseing
Mont Saint Michel, Saint Malo, Guérande’s salt marshes
Gastro
Gastro
Crêpes, cider