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For buying and selling property in Gannat
The town of Gannat, in the Allier department of the Auvergne region in the centre of France, is legendary in more ways than one. Its greatest claim to fame is that it is the centre of folklore and legend for the region, and it upholds this very proud tradition with an internationally renowned festival in the town every year.
Gannat lies in the north of the Auvergne region, but in the south of its department, close to the well known spa town of Vichy. The landscapes of the region are diverse and breathtaking in their beauty. The extinct volcanoes give a rich fertility to the soil and cultivate lush green meadows to feed the cattle, who, in turn, produce the famous and delicious cheeses of the region. As well as the meadows there are lakes and forests, mountains and gorges, rivers and pretty towns and villages to explore and enjoy.
Gannat is an interesting town with its roots in the 12th century. The Castle of Gannat which stands in the centre of the town today, dates largely back to the 14th century. It is now a museum although at one time it harboured a less salubrious crowd altogether, having been used as a prison in which the local rogues could cool their heels! The building itself is worth a good look, with its imposing four towers and crenellated top.
Gannat has plenty to keep you happy besides history, however, as this is one of France's proudest gastronomic regions, and there are a good number of restaurants in Gannat where you can put this tradition and reputation to the test. In fact, most modern facilities are available in Gannat, so you shouldn't need to travel far to conduct your everyday business.
The name of Gannat is synonymous with that of its International Festival of Folklore. This is indeed a superb event, full of colour, music, dance and storytelling. Don't miss it... contact the Tourist Office in the town to find out exact details for each yearly festival.
The region is superb for sports enthusiasts too, and even skiers are catered for. The Massif Centrale is one of the best places to go for cross-country skiing, with miles and miles of beautiful trails to follow in winter. Other sports available include horse-riding, walking, swimming, fishing and some dare devil white water sports in the dramatic gorges.
Unfortunately, the airport of Clermont Ferrand doesn't offer direct flights to the UK at the time of writing, so you could only use it to connect with a flight from another airport within France. For direct flights you will have to fly into Lyon, St Etienne or Limoges. Lyon is served by Air France, bmibaby, British Airways, easyJet and bmi; St Etienne by Ryanair; and Limoges by Ryanair and flybe. Paris is another option, a little further away but it has the advantage of easy links to services which will get you to Gannat. Paris is served by Air France, British Airways, bmi, bmibaby, flybe, easyJet, Jet2, Thomsonfly and Aer Lingus. Gannat has its own train station, and this means that rail travel is another possibility. If travelling by road you will find Gannat from the A71 auto route.
Gannat is in an area of France which is said to have some of the cheapest properties in the country, but once this becomes common knowledge things will change! The region as a whole is relatively undiscovered and hence unspoiled, and there are lots of property bargains to be found. Gannat offers a chance to purchase interesting properties in a beautiful region without paying a fortune, and this should prove to be an excellent investment.
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Gannat is located in the very heart of France, in the Massif Centrale. It lies in the south of the Allier department, close to this department's border with the Puy-de-Dôme.
Population: 5,838
Access: By air: The closest airports are Clermont Ferrand (indirect flights only), Lyon, St Etienne and Limoges. By rail: Gannat has a train station so you can get a connection from the TGV stops or from Eurostar. By road: The A71 motorway will get you to Gannat.
Economy: The economy is varied, with a blend of commerce and industry.
Interesting fact: Gannat is the birthplace of the great French actress Sandrine Bonnaire.
Sextant France
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