Books and Maps on

 WALKING IN THE AUVERGNE

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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.)

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. Published March 10.

The Robert Louis Stevenson Trail: The GR70 from Le Puy to St-Jean-du-Gard, Alan Castle - Robert Louis Stevenson's account of his 140 mile trek through the Massif Central of southern France has long captured the imagination of walkers and lovers of literature alike. In 1991, the Stevenson Trail was finally adopted by the French footpath authorities and this guide will prove indispensable to the holidaymaker planning to follow in the nineteenth century author's footsteps. It includes a comprehensive list of facilities, accommodation and places of interest along the route, detailed route directions and account of Stevenson's adventures with his sole companion and beast of burden, the donkey Modestine, at each stage. The trail is ideal for those contemplating a walking holiday for the first time, and included advice on travelling to and from southern France, accommodation, equipment, currency and insurance - even coping with emergencies like a snake bite. Published Oct 07

Auvergne Rhone Valley Green Guide - Michelin's local writers have walked, skied, driven, visited, slept, shopped and eaten through every tour, piste, sight, hotel, restaurant, boutique, café and venue in this guide. Where they have stepped, you won't put a foot wrong. The Green Guide Auvergne Rhône Valley is meticulously updated and beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs, scores of Michelin maps, and insider coverage of shopping, nightlife, accommodations and restaurants. Published April 11

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. Published Jan 92. Limited availability.

Top 25 and Serie Bleue

The French equivalent of Ordnance Survey Maps

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. Published March 08

Allier/Puy-de-Dome (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Ardeche/Haute Loire (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Auvergne, Limousin (Michelin Regional Maps) Published March 08

Languedoc-Roussillon, Auvergne Marco Polo Map - Marco Polo maps feature completely up-to-date, digitally generated mapping. The high quality cartography with distance indicators and scale converters aid route planning. The extensive coverage of the maps enables travellers to cross country boundaries with the same map. A fold-out overview map is ideal for route planning and 7 self-adhesive Marco Polo mark-it stickers can be used to pin-point a destination or route for future reference. Scenic routes and places of interest are highlighted - ideal for touring holidays. The maps also contain a comprehensive index and inset street plans of major cities. Map Scale - 1: 300 000. Published April 12

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. Published March 11

Massif Du Sancy PNR Des Volcans D'Auvergne GPS Map Published Jan 07

St-Gervais D'Auvergne GPS Map. Published Dec 06.

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. Published May 07. Limited availability.

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 English or 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.