The environment

Technological progress designed by humans has helped satisfy their aspiration for better living conditions. However, the resulting activities are becoming increasingly difficult to control and exert growing pressure on a nature that was once generous and capable of regenerating. Long protected by its isolation, the Chaîne des Puys is not immune to these dynamics of change. The transformations in agricultural activity, the rise of tourism, and the development of transportation infrastructure are profoundly altering patterns of occupation and movement. Environmental awareness, often lagging behind the speed of these changes, seeks to provide corrective responses. This constant commitment to preserving our environment must naturally be supported by the entire community.

The Chaîne des Puys was long covered with shrubs (hazel trees, beeches, etc.) until modest pastoral agriculture led to the clearing of the slopes of the volcanoes. Today, this activity has been significantly reduced. The unmanaged areas are becoming populated with brushwood, while others are being replanted with conifers. These changes have a visible impact on the landscape. Without ecological risk, this slow transformation only affects the aesthetics of the place.

Quarries: pozzolana, with its thermal insulation qualities, is now exploited in a more regulated way. Without specific measures, many volcanoes would have been destroyed or disfigured.

Tourism: a modern phenomenon, it is undoubtedly a potentially destructive factor to manage. Victims of their beauty, these landscapes become the target of thousands of people who, in all good faith, trample, wear down, and erode an alpine nature that is always fragile. We cannot limit these masses, as that would be contrary to any ethics, but measures must be put in place, complemented by extensive information, to offer all our visitors magnificent landscapes that they will respect.

Fence crossing ladders: practical symbols of the alliance between hiking and farming.

Other facilities, such as stairs for hikers, thus prevent soil degradation.

It is necessary to multiply these facilities and maintain the old ones, especially in the key areas of the chain.

Tourism initiatives: they are part of the normal evolution of life. Better promoting our region is commendable. This must necessarily involve reasonable, well-thought-out, and comprehensive solutions that take into account the specificities related to the unique environment of a volcanic complex.

Communication routes: the mountain range is geographically an obstacle. Sparsely populated, it is today the site of intense traffic. Current transportation, despite ongoing technological development efforts, has definite effects on nature. Thus, can we say that these landscapes, born barely a few thousand years ago, will retain their wild appearance over the centuries to come? Unless eruptions come and disrupt everything...

Local authorities are, of course, on the front line along with the Regional Council of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, the Departmental Council of Puy-de-Dôme, and all the municipalities of the chain. Aware of the extraordinary geographical heritage, each one is multiplying projects and initiatives to showcase the site. One can, however, sometimes question the perfect agreement of all the partners, as there may be some divergences.

The associative sector, very present but very varied, can also contribute to enhancing and preserving the region.

The inhabitants are naturally the main actors who operate in this magnificent setting. Whether they are farmers or hold other professions, it is up to them that the fate of the Chaîne des Puys depends. To them goes the vigilance, the initiatives, the love for this corner of Auvergne, for future generations...

At the foot of the puy de Côme, nestled in greenery, the European Volcano Park: Vulcania, a permanent structure dedicated to the discovery of volcanism, as well as the rack railway of the puy de Dôme, are likely to attract many visitors. The ongoing developments make it possible to significantly reduce the impact on this fragile nature.

Well done the different facilities that provide explanations like here at puy de la Combegrasse or at the puys de la Vache and de Lassolas.

The volcanoes of Auvergne deserved a dedicated structure. Created for this purpose in 1977 at the initiative of the Regional Council, the Auvergne Volcanoes Natural Park, covering a vast area whose northern part is occupied by the Chaîne des Puys, fulfills this role. Its missions focus on the development of social, economic, and cultural life, the use of resources, the protection of this natural environment of great beauty left by past generations, and the deployment of hospitality, an increasing factor in economic growth. A vast undertaking where innovation, information, animation, and education combine to highlight and preserve a superb but fragile region.

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