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www.AuvergneHolidayCottage.com
- Visitor Information - Outdoors
Apart
from activities written up in more detail below, there
is climbing, hang gliding, mountain bike hire (was possible
in Condat - update needed please), golf at Le Mont Dore,
even bungee jumping. Ask us, see information leaflets and
local tourist offices.
Adventure playground: claimed
to be “between Tarzan and Indiana Jones” Lioran
Aventure at Le Lioran opens at weekends in Spring and
daily from 15 June. Suitable for all ages, several acres
of trees seem to be involved. Information from 06 7497
4094 or visit their web site www.lioran-aventure.com
Fishing: rivers
and streams contain wild brown trout, some stocked rainbows
and their offspring. You need a permit which is inexpensive
and can be bought in many shops (e.g. the café next
to the lower bakery in Condat). As a conservation measure,
crayfish may only be caught on a single day in August.
Gathering: blackberries,
plums, juniper berries, raspberries, strawberries and bilberries
grow wild; find mushrooms in the fields and beech woods
which surround us. The Hunters sold ceps in Condat for € 10
a kilo. We have several books on fungi if you need them.
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Horses: riding
stables at Montboudif and Condat. Mounts look reliable
more than inspiring. Horse lovers might also enjoy
visiting the stud of draft stallions at Aurillac (see
Haras National, page 17). On your next holiday, why
not ride one of France's great bridle ways? Basic overnight
accommodation for horse and rider (as in the Gîte
Equestre by the waterfall at Egliseneuve) at each day's
end.
Skiing: downhill
at Super Besse, cross country throughout the area -
Besse, Picherande (where the National Sled Dog races
are held), Egliseneuve, even Montgrelieux. Prices are
lower than in the Alps which undoubtedly has more choice
and a longer season for downhill. However over fifty
miles of cross country pistes within half an hour of
here offer unequalled skiing in magnificent surroundings.
Lessons in both types of skiing at Super Besse. Ski
hire everywhere.
Swings: good
play area at Besse and another in Riom-ès-Montagnes |
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Swimming: pools
at Condat (praised by visitors, several children have
made friends there, paddling pool for littlies), St Amandin
if you’re eating at the restaurant (handy pool-side
bar for non swimming imbibers), a good indoor pool at
Super Besse, and in most towns. Over a mile long, Lac
Lastouilles has numerous little beaches to swim from;
we found the water warm, clear and clean; perfect for
a day out or just an evening dip; from Montboudif go
through La Crégut, keep the lake on your left,
pass the Base de Voiles, keep left wherever you can,
through a carpark, cross the top of a long dam and the
further you go, the better it usually is. Nearby Lac
Taurons is quieter but access is not as easy. Try the
River Rhue at La Chapelle for paddling, cooling off and
construction of dams.
Tennis: Condat
has 3 hard courts, about € 6 an hour, book in the
Gardien's office. When the Hawkins played, Saskia (7)
enjoyed the adjacent mini golf. |
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Train: A
little train runs from Bort-les-Orgues to Lugarde. Called
the train touristique or more impressively, the Gentaine
Express, you can join it at Riom-ès-Montaignes and
trundle sedately across the Cézalier. Enquiries and
bookings at the Riom Tourist Office. It tends to stop at
level crossings which are treated very seriously, even if
the railway only crosses a farm track.
Vélorail: a
fun idea. Pedal along the disused railway line from Landyrat
through beautiful countryside. Your trolley has a double
seat between two bicycle seats with pedals. Mornings are
quieter, afternoons can be hot and prone to monsoons in thundery
weather. See leaflet. We did the 8 hour run in 5 hours, picnic
included. Take at least twice the amount of water you think
you’ll need. It runs at set times, booking is essential
- we can phone for you. The editor did not do their highly
entertaining translation. Now much more formal and organised
than at the beginning, you are given a good talking to (in
French) before you set off!
Water sports: the
Base de Voiles on Lac Lastouilles (see Swimming, above
for directions) hires sailing dinghies, sail boards, etc..
Teenagers staying in 1997 went out in their dinghies and
recommend it.
Temperature conversions
| ° C |
° F |
1 ° C = 1.8 ° F |
| -30 |
-22 |
Canadian winter cold |
| -20 |
-4 |
as cold as we get - every few years |
| -10 |
14 |
normal winter low at 800 metres |
| 0 |
32 |
freezing point |
| 10 |
50 |
|
| 20 |
68 |
|
| 30 |
86 |
normal summer high at 800 metres |
| 36.9 |
98.4 |
normal body temperature |
| 40 |
104 |
a hot day in Clermont |
| 60 |
140 |
water too hot to keep your hand in |
| 100 |
212 |
boiling point |
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