08/05/2026
Travel Journal Simon 🌋
Ah, the Cantal.
Wide landscapes. Gentle mountains. Stone villages. And cheese… lots of cheese.
I spent a few days exploring this corner of Auvergne, and it’s the kind of place that stays with you.
Think:
🚵♂️ electric mountain biking and downhill trails
🥾 long hikes through forests and undergrowth
🏕️ bivouac nights under open skies
💦 thermal baths after active days
🍽️ generous Auvergne cuisine — aligot, truffade, and local products
The scenery shifts constantly. Extinct volcanoes like Puy Mary, volcanic lakes, deep valleys, waterfalls, high pastures dotted with burons. Always green. Always open.
Towns like Aurillac, Murat, Salers or Saint-Flour give rhythm to the journey. Human-scale. Rooted. Never rushed.
What makes the Cantal special is the feeling of space. Pure air. A strong food culture. A destination that works just as well for trips with friends as for families looking to slow down without giving up outdoor life.
And of course… Salers, Bleu d’Auvergne and Cantal cheeses. No explanation needed.
A discreet destination for those who love wide horizons, active days, and simple, grounded pleasures.
cantal auvergne
