Auvergne, many will be surprised to learn, has its own Tuscany. This region — if we can call it that — lies just south of Clermont-Ferrand, among radiant, sunflower-covered uplands that could easily be mistaken for the Tuscan campagna. Arguably, the heart of this “Little Tuscany” is Montpeyroux, a hilltop village known for its medieval donjon and its beautifully restored stone townhouses. One of the most luxurious villas in town is The View, a mansard-roofed bed and breakfast and a great base for all explorers of Auvergne’s Tuscany.

Founded by Richard Faille, an entrepreneur and supercar enthusiast, The View features three guest rooms, two suites, and two self-catering apartments plus a communal dining room, terrace, lounge, and pool. Guests desiring more privacy also have the choice to book the entire manor.



Faille’s discriminating eye for art comes across in The View’s minimalist and chic interiors, which feature paintings by the Puydômois artist Jean Moiras as well as other furnishings from global furniture manufacturer Vincent Sheppard. Breakfast and appetizer options at The View have likewise been carefully arranged by Faille, whose suppliers include local butchers, cheesemakers, and wine merchants.



By far the most impressive aspect of The View is its picturesque situation; every window opens up to idyllic, sunny vistas either of the Sancy mountains or of the Limagne plains. Surely, if Montpeyroux is the gateway to Auvergne’s Tuscany, The View must be one of its best pieds-à-terre, a relaxing but refined place to kick back after a long day of wining, dining, and ambling in the countryside.