With its crater lakes and hot springs the entire
region of Auvergne is an outdoor paradise offering activities
from hiking in summer to skiing in winter. The Livradois-Forez
and the Volcans d' Auvergne are two huge regional nature reserves
where the region's flora and fauna have been preserved in their
natural state. The Vallee de Chaudefour and the Sagnes de la Godivelle
other nature parks with sensational views of the chain of extinct
volcanoes in the background. Even in the heart of the city of
Vichy there are hectares of parks and gardens great for walking
and jogging. The Napoleon and Kennedy parks, designed and created
under Napoleon III, are home to some rare species of plants.