Carolyn O'Donnell

Platter of Auvergne cheeses especially for moi at Le Tour du Chateau. In the centre, a blue cheese ice cream on pear puree, then above and left, a cube of cantal, right, crispy garlic and goat cheese log, and finally, comtesse de Vichy on a bun

In July I went to Auvergne again, consuming my way frequently and enthusiastically, through some of the region’s great restaurants. Here’s a piece I wrote about that for A Luxury Travel Blog.

Auvergne is a lovely area, with cheese to make a vegan weep. Despite having dormant volcanoes and beautiful countryside, the area has not been the focus of much tourist activity. This could change, now that Lonely Planet has put Auvergne on its “must visit” list for 2016. Meanwhile, it offers exceptional value for money in accommodation. Excellent meals at just around or nestling below the level that attracts stars in guide books are also extremely reasonably priced for the quality.

Montpeyroux perches on a hilltop and is one of “les plus beaux villages de France”.

Along with the volcanoes begging energetic types to hike them, Auvergne is also home to many charmingly picturesque villages such as Montpeyroux and Charroux. Moulins, capital of the Allier department, presents a fascinating architectural core crammed with cobblestones and historic buildings, and also features a museum of essentially religious haute couture that designer Christian Lacroix visits regularly for inspiration.

Moulins, once the seat of the powerful dukes of Bourbon