Top 3 things to do to live like a real « Cantalou » !

Perhaps you’re planning on coming on holiday in Cantal to enjoy the mountain air, to make the most of the wide open spaces, to give your children an action-packed holiday or to taste some of the region’s delicious local specialities.  This, and much more, is all possible here in Cantal!

While you’re here, we thought we’d set you our fun challenge to really live like a Cantalou (as the locals are affectionately called) and get a special taste of what the region has to offer visitors.

Read on to find out more … fun and laughter guaranteed!

Taste our local specialities… and forget the diet!

Holidays are special, so make sure you get your taste buds tingling as you indulge in some of our delicious, homemade and locally produced treats. Cantal is a foodie’s heaven, trust us!

For those of you who enjoy savoury dishes, you’ll love our distinct mountain ham and charcuterie and of course the famous Cantal and Salers cheese. There’s also Pounti which is a pork, swiss chard and prune terrine that’s delicious warm with a crisp green salad. Don’t miss tucking into a succulent Salers beef steak with a Bleu d’Auvergne cheese sauce and traditionally served with truffade, a potato and Tome cheese bake. You may also come across aligot as a side dish, combining melted Tome cheese and mash potato and a speciality from Aveyron… just so you know the difference!

For those of you with a sweet tooth, you’ll love our delicious Tarte à la Tome, a sweet tart made all year round using soft Tome cheese. Don’t hesitate either, particularly if you’re here while they’re in season, to taste the juicy wild blueberries that grow locally, delicious as a filling for our biscuit cornets along with ice cream and Chantilly cream!

Cantalou Challenge #1: Enjoy a Cantalou breakfast with locally prepared lamb tripoux! The absolute must, if you’re here in mid-May, is to join in the early morning feast at the “One Two Tripoux” festival in Thiézac.

Explore the mountains… in a special light!

In Cantal the nights are cool and refreshing even in the Summer, so after a good night’s sleep, you’ll be in top form to explore the mountain scenery!

Relaxed and rested, why not consider doing something different? Instead of heading up to the mountain ridges on foot, by car or by cable car at 11 am or 3 pm like 90% of visitors to the area, why not enjoy the summits in a special light by admiring the sunrise from the top of the Puy Mary or the sunset from the Plomb du Cantal.

A magical moment of peace and calm that you won’t regret! What’s more, if you’re really quiet and keep your eyes open, you might even spot some of the area’s emblematic wildlife such as marmots, chamois and mountain sheep. Bright and early or as the sun goes down is definetely the best time to catch a special glimpse of this stunning landscape and its wildlife.

Remember however that being in the mountains means that the weather can change quite quickly. Temperatures drop once the sun goes down so don’t forget to wrap up warm and take a picnic with you. After the climb to the summit, you’ll have worked up a bit of an appetite!

Cantalou Challenge #2: See if you can find some animal footprints in the snow, spot an otter playing in the River Cère, take a selfie in the company of a Salers cow or be stopped in your tracks at the sound of a stag deer rutting in Autumn!

Water from a volcano… in all different shapes and forms!

The volcanic activity in the area has given rise to water in a wide array of shapes and forms, so make sure you get out and explore!

If you’re a fishing enthusiast, Carladès is a wonderful spot to go fishing. The main species of fish to be found in the River Cère and the River Goul are Fario trout and grayling. Consequently they are both ranked as 1st category waterways and are beautiful and unspoilt spots.  You can also enjoy fishing with your children while you’re here at a purpose-built fish pond or even head out “crayfish trapping” with a professional fishing guide during the Summer season.

The long geological history of Cantal has produced many unique sites of great scenic beauty. Come and marvel at the glacial rock bar called the Pas de Cère Gorges, where over time the river has finally succeeded in forming the valley of the River Cère. Or admire the lava flow that has formed a series of basalt rock columns at the foot of the impressive Faillitoux waterfall falling from a height of 41 metres… You’ll find lots of other waterfalls to visit in the area.

If you prefer to drink water, then you’ll be interested to know that the town of Vic sur Cère was once well-known for its natural mineral water. Declared as being of public interest in 1890, the water was bottled and recognized as being very good for the digestive system with beneficial properties thanks to its high iron content as well as the fact that it contains sodium bicarbonate and salt.

Cantalou Challenge #3: Taste the natural mineral water at the original drinking fountain in the grounds of the Maison des Eaux Minérales in Vic sur Cère… but only in small quantities!

Here is just a small selection of special things to do during your stay. Come along to the Tourist Information Office while you’re here and pick up our programme of activities and events. Our team is on hand to tell you all about our special offers and what’s on. We’re also ready to set lots of other challenges for holiday fun and games if you want!

par Magali
le 20 April 2018