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 Lots
and lots of water -
Going upstream the wonderful gorges of the Cher from Montluçon will lead you to the shaded and undulating Combrailles region. This region, a vast patchwork of small spots all different in landscape and heritage, spreads from the Bourbonnais down to the foothills of the Sancy. However, something is constant in this land : water. The Sioule river is the backbone of the region and of its beneficial springs like Châteauneuf-les-Bains, a spa town where you can practice outdoor activities, and the Gour de Tazenat, one of the most famous and magical crater lakes of the region. Feel free to wander through the heart of the Combrailles.
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Architectural wonders - On the hills around the Sioule river, man has done as well
as nature. Through the centuries, this border region has
undergone many influences of Auvergne, Bourbonnais and Limousin.
Near Châteauneuf-les-Bains, gothic art lovers can visit the
only notable gothic building of the region : the old fortified
basilica of Saint-Gervais d'Auvergne with its weird medieval
gargoyles. Nearby, you can find a must to conclude this patrimonial
sightseeing tour : the unmissable railway viaduct called "viaduc
des Fades". This real achievement and artistic masterpiece
of the early 20th century remains one of the most picturesque
places in Auvergne. 
And there runs a river -
The heart of the Combrailles is crossed by the Sioule valley
and its gorges, dams, loops and cliffs. It is nearly still
when it twines lazily the Saint-Cyr peninsula. Once, its
banks were busy with hemp cloth launderers but nowadays,
it is a quiet place for walking. Following the road down
to Vitrac, the feeling of astonishment turns into a quietness
when, from rocky heights, the eye meets the wonderful Queuille
meander, which entwines the wooded and inaccessible Murat
peninsula, a real delight. 
Leisure and water -The Sioule river, like its
numerous tributaries, is rich and generous, that is why the
Combrailles region is also a paradise for fishermen. The river is a well-known
spot
for trout fishing. Nevertheless, it is a great place for
climbing with its deep gorges too. Climbers will be pleased with the climbing
of the "Stone
of Charlemagne" (Rocher de Charlemagne) near Châteauneuf-les-Bains. All
kinds of water stretches are pleasant in the Combrailles,
in Fades-Besserves, the largest stretch of water in the Puy-de-Dôme, you
can go water skiing and windsurfing in a marvellous environment. Sometimes,
making a choice
can be difficult.
 The
Combrailles for the gourmets -A high quality soil in a preserved
area, the Combrailles will meet all the gastronome's expectations. On the
menu, a "pâté Brayaud" (a pie with potatoes and fresh cream) and a Fario
trout with a "Pain du Pays des Combrailles", a real symbol of an active
agriculture of quality, which is a local bread made with an ancient sort
of wheat. If
you can eat more, there is a dessert called a "pompe aux pommes" (a sort
of apple pie) which is another symbol of Auvergne's gastronomy.
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