France - Lonely Heart Of France - Auvergne To Limousin (4/151)

France - Lonely Heart Of France - Auvergne To Limousin (4/151)

The journey from Auvergne to Limousin regions in the middle of France leads through one of Europe's major volcanic areas. The "Route des fromages", or Cheese Road, leads to Tulle, world capital of the accordion. Who would suspect one of the largest volcanic regions of the continent in the middle of France? Four mountain ranges in the Auvergne contain over 100 volcanoes. This awe-inspiring natural vista was captured from a hot-air balloon as well as from below on a hike across the Massif du Sancy. The region is equally famous for its cheese, as its lava, however. Countless dairies and aging cellars can be found on the "route de fromages". In Tulle, the home of the accordion, the air is alive with music. The city boasts the only factory in France where accordions are made entirely by hand, and celebrates an annual festival of accordion music. Also once a year, the city of Limoges holds the "Frairie des Petits Ventres" staged by the butcher's guild, where the tables are piled high with pig's snouts and blood sausage, chitlins and intestines - a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.