Explore the largest volcano in Europe : The Cantal Mountains
The Monts du Cantal form a colossal volcano with a diameter of 80 km, covering 2000 km². With a fascinating geological history, this Cantal giant offers spectacular views, especially from the iconic summit of Puy Mary.
This volcanic landscape is characterized by around twenty glacial valleys, over 50 peaks, including the Plomb du Cantal rising to 1,855 meters, passes connecting the valleys, and plateaus formed by ancient lava flows. Torrents cascade from glacial cirques to turquoise gorges, adding to the natural beauty of the area.
On the periphery, the planèzes offer lush pastures appreciated by Salers cows, recognizable by their lyre-shaped horns. These preserved lands are dotted with burons and villages with remarkable lauze roofs.
Classified as a Grand Site of France®, the Cantal volcano is managed by the Puy Mary Joint Union, in close collaboration with the Joint Union of the Regional Natural Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes.
Les Monts du Cantal: A Volcanic Giant in the Heart of Auvergne
The Monts du Cantal, located in the heart of the Massif Central, are the remains of the largest volcano in Europe, whose erosion has shaped spectacular landscapes. This massif, with rounded peaks and deep valleys, offers unspoilt nature and breathtaking panoramas.
Iconic Summits
The Monts du Cantal are dotted with majestic peaks that offer breathtaking panoramas. These high points, both accessible and impressive, allow you to discover exceptional views of the surrounding valleys and the wild beauty of the massif. Whether for a quiet walk or a more sporting ascent, these peaks are essential for all nature lovers. Some of the most iconic:
1.Le Plomb du Cantal (1,855 m): The highest peak in the massif, it offers a breathtaking view of all the mountains and surrounding plateaus. Accessible on foot or by cable car from the Lioran station.
2.Le Puy Mary (1783 m): Classified as a Grand Site of France, it is one of the most emblematic peaks and offers an exceptional panorama after a short ascent.
3.Le Puy Griou (1,690 m): Recognizable by its perfect conical shape, it is a popular challenge for hikers.
Les Monts du Cantal: The Remains of a Sleeping Volcanic Giant
The Monts du Cantal are part of a volcanic giant that dominated the region about 10 million years ago. This massif is the remnant of the largest volcano in Europe, a colossus that experienced intense activity for millions of years before gradually dying out. Today, the Monts du Cantal are an exceptional hiking area, but their geological history still leaves visible traces at every turn.
Millions of years ago, violent volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape. Large lava flows have covered the valleys and formed towering mountains. But over time, erosion has transformed this imposing massif into rounded and soft shapes, giving the mountains their current silhouette. The old craters have been levelled, the sharp peaks softened, but the immensity of the volcano remains perceptible in the grandeur of the landscape.
One could say that the Monts du Cantal are a sleeping giant, whose remains still bear witness to the power that shaped these lands. At each summit, each valley, the geological history of this region is revealed. Layers of solidified lava, volcanic rocks and particular rock formations are silent witnesses to the violence of past eruptions.
Today, these mountains offer a unique spectacle: rounded ridges that seem to watch over the region, a peaceful nature but deeply marked by its volcanic past. Hikers and nature lovers can walk these trails, touching the story of a volcano whose energy continues to shape the landscape even in its sleep. The Monts du Cantal, although harmless today, remind us that the strength of the Earth lies in phenomena that, although inactive, continue to shape the world around us.
The Puy Mary: A Historic and Natural Summit
Puy Mary is much more than just a summit. Classified Grand Site of France in 2012, it is one of the most famous and impressive of the Monts du Cantal region. At 1,783 metres, it dominates the landscape and offers visitors a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys, rewarding the efforts of hikers who venture to its summit.
But beyond its spectacular appearance, the Puy Mary is also a site full of history and traditions. It used to be a place of passage for the herds of cows during transhumance, an ancient phenomenon where the breeders would ride their animals to the alpine pastures to enjoy the high pastures in summer. Even today, traces of this tradition are visible in the landscape, with burons (mountain chalets) scattered on the slopes, testifying to the pastoral activity that has shaped the region for centuries.
When you reach the summit of Puy Mary, you not only contemplate a breathtaking panorama, but also pay tribute to these ancient practices that have marked the history of Cantal. Le Puy Mary embodies both the raw beauty of nature and the deep connection between the inhabitants and their mountain environment.
Whether for hiking, discovering local history or simply to recharge your batteries in contact with nature, the Puy Mary is a place where nature, history and culture meet harmoniously.
The Legends of the Cantal Mountains: When Giants and Dragons Populated the Summits
The Monts du Cantal are not only a paradise for nature lovers; they are also a place full of mystery and legends. Among the many stories circulating, one of the most popular is that of the Puy de la Vache, an isolated summit that would have been the scene of an epic battle between a giant and a dragon.
According to legend, the giant, protector of the mountain dwellers, stood up against the mythological beast to defend the region. The fight would have been of an unheard violence, shaking the heavens and making the earth tremble. At the top of the Puy de la Vache, it is said that the echoes of this duel still resonate in the wind. The rocks of the summit, covered with moss, would be the silent witnesses of this ancestral fight.
This kind of narrative, mixing fantastic creatures and forces of nature, has always nourished the local imagination. In the mountains of Cantal, each summit, each valley could be the home of a forgotten story, a legendary fight or a mysterious event that has passed through the centuries. The inhabitants, often lulled by these stories, have cultivated a deep respect for the mountains, considered as magical places where the boundary between reality and legend becomes blurred.
The legends of the Monts du Cantal are not limited to a simple folklore: they are an integral part of the identity of this region, maintaining a mysticism that continues to attract curious and lovers of ancestral tales. Crossing these mountains is a bit like reliving these mythological stories and feeling the influence of these mythical creatures, who according to tradition still watch over these lands.