Tourist Guide Le Mont-dore, France

Mont-Dore is a town in the heart of the Massif Central, a lovely little resort with dual personalities – popular ski resort in winter and hiking and spa town in summer. The highest summit in the Auvergne, Puy de Sancy looks over Mont-Dore at the end of the valley. The Dordogne River runs through the village, past open parks and the Tourism Center along a main street lined with plane trees.

It’s the sort of place you don’t necessarily seek out, but once there, you’re glad you didn’t miss. Pedestrian lanes lined with cafes and shops open to grassy squares, and a 19th-century “Thermes” anchors the side of town away from the river. Every August, the town buzzes with the thrill of an auto race through the surrounding mountains and down through the village.        love horoscopes

As a ski resort, Mont Dore pales in comparison to Alpine destinations, but the mid-range ski runs are the closest to Paris. The same snow-covered hills that attract winter sports buffs turn to luscious green hiking destinations in the summer. Throughout the town, thermal “curative” spas promise health and renewal. In fact, some literature touts Mont Dore as the World Capital of Asthma Care, famous for pure air and thermal waters.

With two seasons of tourists to entertain, hotels and chalet rentals are well prepared for hotel boking. Hotel le Russie in the city center is a popular choice with warm, attentive owners, comfortable rooms, a lovely breakfast buffet and local specialty dinners. A few blocks away, the Hotel de la Paix offers 36 rooms of varying sizes, all clean and comfortable, in a location central to wonderful shops and restaurants. In fact, just across the street is an alluring bistro unlike any you will ever discover!

Au Petit Paris sits like an elegant little jewel overlooking a traffic-less walkway. Popular meals run from hearty omelettes to the baked Auvernaise potatoes and ham that are a regional specialty. The crepe pan outdoors is in constant demand, filling the air with the aroma of nutella and Chantilly crme.     kids health education

Every inch of the bistro exudes charm. Delicate French overhead lamps highlight the richly waxed tables; jazz posters and memorabilia cover the walls. A banquette lines one wall with several small tables and chairs, and nearby, magazines and papers cover a small piano. The proprietress is as elegant as her surroundings with her graying hair piled above that legendary French skin. With a warm smile for everyone, she moves between tables, prepares sweet crepes from the outdoor grillade and offers subtle direction to her staff.

A pleasant walk through the town also offers little pleasures – browsing the marketplace, slipping into a bakery for an clair, circling the Romanesque bath and wandering by the river. It is, perhaps, the lack of “attractions” that makes Mont-Dore so attractive! You will want to explore the wondrous volcanic region, rich with sprawling valleys and mountain lakes, but your home base is a place to relax.

One place not to miss is the deli/restaurant on a corner in town. You won’t need directions, as the aroma of rotisserie-baked ham, pork and chicken drifts through the air like a surreptitious advertisement. Perhaps, you will have them make you a baked country ham sandwich complete with a slightly sweet barbeque sauce and crispy fries. Take your treasures to the tiny fountained park next to Le Petit Paris. From your park bench, you will enjoy a savory picnic, overlooking the lively pedestrian street with lush mountain peaks in the background.