3 day property buying trip to the Auvergne

🏡 3-Day Property Buying Trip Itinerary: Exploring Auvergne

Whether you're dreaming of a rural retreat, a renovation project, or a forever home in the heart of France, Auvergne offers stunning landscapes, affordable properties, and timeless charm. This 3-day itinerary is designed to help you explore the region’s most attractive towns and villages for buyers — with time to soak in the local atmosphere along the way.

🗓 Day 1: Gateway to Auvergne – Clermont-Ferrand & Issoire

Morning: Arrive in Clermont-Ferrand

Travel via Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport or arrive by train from Paris (approx. 3.5 hours).

Settle in with coffee on Place de Jaude, overlooking the striking lava-stone cathedral.

Property Focus:

Start with viewings in Clermont-Ferrand suburbs and surrounding countryside (ideal for those wanting a city-rural mix).

Visit agents with listings in nearby villages like Royat or Orcines — perfect for mountain views and a short commute.

Lunch: Traditional truffade and charcuterie in a local bistro.

Afternoon: Head south to Issoire

Scenic 30-minute drive to Issoire — a colourful market town with Romanesque heritage.

Visit listings for stone houses and small village homes in the surrounding Livradois-Forez park.

Evening: Overnight in Issoire — charming B&Bs or boutique hotels are plentiful.

🗓 Day 2: Rural Charms – Montpeyroux, Blesle & Saint-Flour

Morning: Visit Montpeyroux

Short drive north to Montpeyroux, a hilltop gem known for its art galleries and restored homes.

Explore renovation opportunities and speak with local notaires about permits and costs.

Midday: Scenic drive to Blesle (1.5 hrs)

Stop for lunch en route — perhaps a picnic with fresh produce from a local market.

Arrive in Blesle, one of France’s most beautiful villages, nestled in the Alagnon valley.

Tour village homes and smaller hamlets — ideal for peaceful retirement or creative escapes.

Afternoon to Evening: Onward to Saint-Flour (approx. 1 hour)

Check into a hotel in Saint-Flour.

Stroll through the upper town, admire the cathedral, and dine overlooking the volcanic cliffs.

🗓 Day 3: Highland Views – Salers and the Cantal Countryside

Morning: Early start to Salers (1.5–2 hours)

Breathtaking drive through the Parc des Volcans d’Auvergne.

Arrive in Salers, a perfectly preserved medieval village surrounded by green pastures and jagged peaks.

Property Focus:

Tour stone-built village houses, farms, and converted barns.

Visit nearby hamlets such as Tournemire or Anglards-de-Salers for even more space and solitude.

Lunch: Enjoy Cantal cheese and a local specialty, pounti, in a rustic auberge.

Afternoon: Wrap-up & Return

Optional final viewing or local notaire meeting.

Begin return journey via Aurillac Airport, Clermont-Ferrand, or overnight locally before heading back.

🧭 Tips for a Successful Trip:

• Book appointments early – Auvergne is rural, and agents may be spread out.

•  Hire a car – Public transport is limited outside the main towns.

•  Bring a translator or download key phrases – English is not widely spoken in some areas.

•  Look beyond the listings – Some of the best opportunities are word-of-mouth or not yet online.

This 3-day itinerary gives you a rich taste of Auvergne’s property potential, from historic townhouses to countryside escapes. With low prices, stunning scenery, and a gentle pace of life, Auvergne is an ideal destination for buyers who value nature, authenticity, and timeless charm.

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