Explore This! The Auvergne Region, France

Filed in Explore This , The Quirky Lover Posted on May 30, 2011 @ 2:00 pm 7 comments

 This week we’re heading back to Europe, to the Auvergne Region of France. I was reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, which inspired me to check out this area. Harkness’ vampire character, Matthew Clairmont (aka de Clermont), had his home base in a castle nestled somewhere in Auvergne. On further research, Anne Rice’s vampire Lestat also hailed from here, being born the “son of the marquis d’Auvergne”. Taking a look at the pictures, it is easy to understand the ancient nature of this part of France which lends a certain authenticity as an origin or home for vampires.

To me, this looks like a place that stands outside of time and still retains much of its natural beauty. Let’s start our tour:

Ancient brick work surround by a lush garden is reminiscent of a scene in
Harkness’ novel, from which a character is abducted.

This would be a forboding place to visit, perfect even for the likes of Nosferatu.

de Clermont’s castle is named “Sept-tours” for the 7 towers built around
the main area. This seems like a good inspiration for the
fictitious abode (minus 3 of those towers).

The Auvergne Region is also known for its “extinguished volcanoes”.

It almost appears that modern day living has no place amongst these buildings.

Even the B&B’s look as though arriving in the evening would be a little
 scary for vampire believers

The first signs of modern day; this would be a lovely area for a walk.

Much like certain other famous vampires, de Clermont prefers hunting animals.
What better place than this hilly, tree filled site?

Simply stunning countryside! Ah, one day….
Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

About Jackie


Jackie is a quirky mom, living in Ontario, Canada. She's a bookkeeper by day and a book lover by night. She also blogs at The Novel Nation and writes occasionally for Heroes and Heartbreakers.

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7 Comments

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  • heidenkind May 30, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    It's like something out of a fairy tale!

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  • Jackie May 30, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    @heidenkind – I know, right? *sigh*

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  • LSUReader May 31, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    So beautiful…such a perfect pick-me-up for today. Thanks. Now, I'm going to go back and savor those pictures for a while.

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett May 31, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Amazing! I'm going one of these days!

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  • Jackie June 1, 2011 at 10:04 am

    @LSUReader – I'm glad they helped! I love going back through the posts to travel vicariously, lol.

    @Julia – Thanks! Sadly, not my own pics but I'd like to say the same thing: one of these days…

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  • Anonymous June 8, 2011 at 12:20 am

    Le Chateau des Sept Tours, Loire Valley
    http://www.7tours.com/#/en/accuei

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  • Scottish Dave January 20, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    Just started reading Shadow of Night (read the first one) and looked up pictures of Sept-Tours. Found your brilliant blog! Thanks do much for doing this. Ps I am currently in a 17th century castle (now a b&b) on a dark, rain swept night in Scotland, so pretty fitting really

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