Books and Maps on

 WALKING IN THE AUVERGNE

(Allier, Puy-de-Dome, Cantal, Haute Loire)

Map of Region

 

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Bestwalks home page  ►France Index

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BOOKS

IGN MAPS
Michelin Local Maps

Topo Guides with Day Walks
(Some of these publications are may not be stock items and could involve a waiting period for delivery.)

Walks in Volcano Country, Alan Castle - The Auvergne and Velay are ancient regions of southern central France whose landscapes have been shaped by intense volcanic activity. Several hundred extinct volcanoes are found here, many of whose craters, rims and slopes can be explored. It is a terrain quite unlike any found in Britain. THE TRAVERSE OF THE HIGH AUVERGNE is a ten or fifteen day mountain walk visiting many of the principal sites of the Auvergne. An easy ascent of the Puy de Sancy, at 6183ft the highest peak in the Massif Central, is included as well as a traverse of the Puy de Dome and the principal summits of the Cantal mountains. THE TOUR OF THE VELAY, GR40, is a circular, 100-mile walk in the gentle hill country around Le Puy. An optional detour to Mont Mezenc, the highest peak in the Cevennes, is also described. The terrain, length and abundance of suitable accommodation make this an ideal excursion for those contemplating a walking holiday for the first time. There is ample time in a week or ten day holiday for a visit to the celebrated town of Le Puy itself. Details of accommodation, transport and other facilities are given, as well as practical information for newcomers to walking in France.

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The Way of St. James: Chemin De Saint -Jacques De Compostelle - Le Puy to the Pyrenees - This is a walker's guide to the 740km Pilgrim Road from Le Puy-en-Velay in central France to the Pyrenees. It is the only original guide to this route in English. A companion volume by the same author, "The Way of St James" (Pyrenees-Santiago-Finisterre), continues the route through Spain from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostella (or Finisterre). As well as giving directions for walking the route the book also provides information on places to visit along the way, the history of the pilgrimage and the availability of practical facilities such as shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation. This guide contains an outline of the route along the Cele valley (53km) as one appendix and, unlike existing guides (in any language), a comprehensive listing of St. James and other pilgrim references along the way as another. There is a list of suggestions for further reading and a glossary of geographical and other useful terms. It also contains a series of sketch maps covering the entire route to aid the user in planning his or her journey.

ISBN: 9781852843717 - The Way of St. James

The Auvergne, 30 Circular Walks from Regional Centres, Maurice Turner - This is one of a series of books which provide detailed route descriptions of some of the most popular walking areas of Europe. Centred around the main towns in each region, the books advise on accommodation, transport, money, clothing, and food and wine. The mountains of the Auvergne are among the best walking regions of France, well-known for their beauty and ease of access from across Europe. A fine network of paths helps to make walking enjoyable, whether for short rambles or more challenging cross-country routes. The 30 circular walks in this book are based around Murat, Vic-sur-Cere, Thiezac, Saint-Flour, La Bourboule, Saint-Nectaire, Besse-en-Chandesse and Orcival. Limited availability.

Auvergne Rhone Valley Green Guide

ISBN: 9782067123366 - Michelin Green Guide Auvergne Rhone Valley

Auvergne Berlitz Motoring Map - These Motoring Maps give first time drivers and seasoned motorists alike the added confidence to drive in France. They are fully indexed with clear, detailed mapping and include distance indicators. Quick-reference, look-up panels include essential travel information from driving regulations and emergency telephone numbers to key French phrases.

Auvergne-Limousin (AA Road Map France) - This fully updated series of sheet maps with top quality mapping from both the AA and IGN (France's national mapping agency) are all you need for motoring in France. The maps combine clear design and more road detail with an easy to read scale to ensure that you never lose your way.

ISBN: 9780749551353 - Auvergne-Limousin


 

Top 25 and Serie Bleue

The French equivalent of Ordnance Survey Maps

 IGN Top 25 maps cover areas of particular tourist interest, mainly around the coast, and have a map number ending in T. The maps have an overprint highlighting local footpaths, long-distance GR routes and, where appropriate, ski routes. Other tourist information includes campsites, equestrian or canoeing centres, huts, mountain refuges, etc. Map legend is in French and English. Each TOP 25 map covers an area of approximately 28 x 21 km (17 x 13 miles).

The rest of France is covered by Serie Bleue maps, which have no overprint and map numbers ending in O or E. The legend is in French only but is fairly self-explanatory. Each Serie Bleue map covers an area of approximately 20 x 14 km (12 x 9 miles), with some maps slightly larger.

Both series have similar cartography, with contour interval of 5 metres, except for mountainous areas, where the maps have hill shading and contours at 10-metre intervals. Scale 1:25000

Generally, Top 25 Maps are £8.99 and Serie Bleue £7.99.

Click here for  the full list of the individual maps available for AUVERGNE and numbered grids.

IGN Tourism, Outdoor Activities and Regional Discovery Maps - An extensive series of maps published by the IGN in cooperation with local authorities, ramblers' associations, cycling clubs, etc. The maps are designed to provide information on places of interest, recreational facilities, various types of accommodation, local and long-distance footpaths, bridleways, cycling and mountain bike routes, etc. Various scales. Some titles will have limited availability - in case of difficulty please email.
 
Le Roannais - Detailed contoured map, covering an area of approximately 75 x 75 km, centered on the town of Roanne. An overprint shows places of interest, recreational facilities, various types of accommodation, local footpaths and bridleways, etc. Map legend includes English.  Scale 1:75,000
Montagne Bourbonnaise - Detailed contoured map covering an area of approximately 25 x 30 km. An overprint shows local footpaths, recreational facilities and various types of accommodation. Map legend includes English. Scale 1:33,000
Montagne Ardechoise - Detailed contoured map of an area between Lagogne and Thuyet. Extensive overprint highlights local and long-distance footpaths, bridleways, numerous sport and recreational facilities, places of interest, various types of accommodation, etc. Map legend includes English. Scale 1:40,000

Map cover

Monts du Cantal: Cezallier - Alagnon - Planeze - One of two maps covering the Monts du Cantal, centered on St-Flour. This map covers the area north of St-Flour to Condat and Monts du Cezallier. Contours are at 40-metre intervals. Extensive overprint highlights local and long-distance footpaths, numerous sport and recreational facilities, places of interest, various types of accommodation, etc. Map legend includes English. Scale 1:50,000 
Monts du Cantal: Planeze - Margeride - Aubrac - One of two maps covering the Monts du Cantal, centered on St-Flour. This map covers the area south of St-Flour to St-Chely-d'Apcher and the Monts d'Aubrac. Contours are at 40-metre intervals. Extensive overprint highlights local and long-distance footpaths, numerous sport and recreational facilities, places of interest, various types of accommodation, etc. Map legend includes English. Scale 1:50,000
Forez Mountains and Plains - This is a detailed map with 1:50,000 scale cartography, enriched by an overlay of tourist information. It covers an area on the right bank of the Loire river in the Rhone Alps, between Clermont-Ferrand and St-Etienne. Places to stay, activities available, natural and historical heritage sites as well as the GR3 route, the Balcony and Basalt Road, a famous itinerary in thearea, the Road toSantiago de Compostela, bridle paths, mountain bike tours, cross-country skiing trails are all marked in bright different colours.  
Haute-Loire (1)-Vallee de L'Allier/ Brivados/ Forets du Livradois - This is a detailed map with 1:50,000 scale cartography, enriched by an overlay of tourist information. It covers part of the Allier valley running north-east from Lemdes-sur-Allagnon east to Craponne-sur-Arzon, south-west to Vedrines-st-loup and south-east to Le Puy-en-Velay. Includes the Livrados Forest, and the Brivadois. Places to stay, activities available, natural and historical heritage sites, bridle paths, mountain bike tours, cross-country skiing trails etc.are all marked in bright different colours.
Haute-Loire (2)-Gorges de l'Allier/Margeride/Monts du Velay.
Haute-Loire (3): Vallee de le Loire et du Lignon Sucs de l'Yssingelaise - Tourist map/guide to part of the Haute-Loire region, covering the north-east section; Croponne-sur-Arxon across to La Ricamarie in the N.E.amd Le-puy-en-velay in the S.W. to St. Agreve in the S.E. Highlights tourist attractions. Legend is in English. Scale 1:50,000
Haute-Loire (4): Gorges de la Loire: Puy-en-Velay: Massif Mezenc Meygal - Tourist map/guide to part of the Haute-Loire region, covering the south-east section, including Le Puy-en-Velay area across to Tence in the north-east, and reservoire de Naussac in the south-west across to St. agreve. Highlights tourist attractions. Legend is in English. 

Cantal/Lozere (Michelin Local Maps) - Detailing the Cantal / Lozere region of France, this laminated fold-out map includes a complete index of place names and covers all regional specialities, heritage and traditions. It offers clear and concise mapping for stress-free travelling.

Allier/Puy-de-Dome (Michelin Local Maps)

Ardeche/Haute Loire (Michelin Local Maps)

ISBN: 9782061011669 - Ardeche/Haute-Loire

Auvergne, Limousin (Michelin Regional Maps)

ISBN: 9782067135307 - Michelin Auvergne-Limousin 522 Regional France

Topo Guides with Day Walks - The extensive list of topo-guides to the long-distance footpaths in France published by the Federation Francaise de la Randonnee Pedestre has now been expanded to include guides to local walks, the PRs (Promenades et Randonnees). Each guide offers a selection of walks of various length and difficulty, overprinted on extracts from the 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 topographic survey. The text is in French. Some titles will have limited availability - in case of difficulty please email.

Several of the guides listed in the "Topo-guides to Long-distance Footpaths" series also include day walks in addition to the long-distance routes, as indicated in the description of each title.
 

Pilat Regional Park on Foot - 22 day walks, from one to nine hours long, in the Pilat Regional Park. Maps in colour. 64 pages.
La Montagne Bourbonnaise on Foot - A guide to 30 day walks in the area with 1:50,000 scale mapping and route descriptions. This guide also covers sections of the GR3, GR3A and the GR de la Pays Montagne Bourbonnaise. Includes information on accommodation, wildlife, parking and transport facilities, etc. The maps are taken from the (now defunct) IGN Serie Orange.
The Department of Loire on Foot - 42 circular day walks, from one to seven hours long, in the department of Loire, around Roanne and St-Etienne. Maps in colour. Numerous drawings of fauna and flora. 112 pages.
Les Monts du Forez - Describes 21 day walks from 1 1/2 hours to 7 hours duration. The walks are scattered throughout the Monts du Forez which lie between Montbrison and Ambert. The GR3 also passes north-south through the region. 80 pages.
The Pays Vivarais-Lignon on Foot - 25 walks, from two to four hours long, in the area north of Le-Puy-en-Velay. Maps in colour. 64 pages.
The Semene Valley on Foot - 18 walks, from one to four hours long, in the valley of the river Semene in the Haute-Loire. Maps in colour. 64 pages.
Le Pays du Mezenc on Foot - 23 day walks, from one to four hours long, around Mt Mezenc. Maps in colour. Numerous drawings of fauna and flora. 64 pages.

Map cover

The Pays du Velay on Foot - 25 walks, from two to four hours long, in the area around Montfaucon-en-Velay. Maps in colour. 64 pages.
GR441/30/GRP - Volcanos and Lakes of the Auvergne - Covers the GR441 "Tour de la Chaine du Puys", GR30 "Tour des Lacs d'Auvergne" within the Volcan's d'Auvergne PNR. Also covers sections of the GR4 and GR41 which approach the above trails, and five nearby GRP routes around Issoire on the Allier Valley to the east of the PNR. Numerous photos and drawings of local highlights, fauna and flora. Maps in colour. 192 pages.

Map cover

Volcan du Cantal

Gorges De L'Ardeche a La Margeride

Tours en Margeride

 

GR65 - The Way of St.James: Geneva to Le Puy-en-Velay - Covers the route which provides access from Geneva across the Rhone Valley region to the start of the Way of St.James at Le Puy-en-Velay. Maps in colour. Numerous photos. 112 pages.
GR7/72/73 - From Pilat to the Cevennes  - A 275-km route along the GR7, plus variants and Tour du Chasserac. 104 pages.
GRP - Tour du Mezenc et Gerbier de Jonc - 140km of walking in the region of monts Mezenc & Gerbier, paradise for botanists & geologists.