For centuries, the Massif Central was a terra incognita where, according to Chateaubriand in his childhood, strange things happened... Jean Anglade Presentation - Location "La Chaîne des Puys" : west view   Présentation The bench mark of Auvergne Auvergne is famous for its volcanoes, but you need to go there to truly grasp how nature has shaped unique landscapes. Volcanic terrain always conveys something different from classic mountains: a sense of movement, as if nothing is frozen, a constant dynamism. Upon arrival, no matter which route is taken, the traveler is struck by the horizon line that dominates the Clermont-Ferrand plain. From all cardinal points, the Puy de Dôme catches the eye. This isolated summit, topped with a television antenna—a symbol of modern times that further emphasizes its presence—rises as a promontory over the northern hills of the Massif Central. Its privileged position leaves no one indifferent. Moreover, this mountain carries a long History within it. An extraordinary nature While approaching, this horizon is even more curious. Contrasting with the roundnesses of the close mountains softened by time, of the conical forms surround the giant. But the spectacle becomes even more incredible dice than one is introduced into the region, and better still, if one rises on the node of Puy de Dôme. There, in front of us, of north in the south arises a landscape single in France : an impressive alignment of volcanoes, all leaning against each other, in single file, neatly arranged. Born from the fire of the Earth barely a few millennia ago, these landscapes leave no one indifferent. They provoke wonder, curiosity, and invite questioning. They are the interrogation. An extraordinary, wild and admirable nature We will see that local officials, aware of the richness of this unique geological heritage, are today multiplying initiatives to promote and preserve this environment. Localisation   Auvergne forms part of the "Massif Central". The "Massif Central" is this vast mountainous triangle placed in the southern medium of France. As it will be seen front it is characterized by the presence of volcanic formations on most of its extent. The "Chaîne des Puys" is most septentrional of these formations, and also most recent. It is spread out over approximately 50 km of north in the south, while overhanging in the east, the plain of collapse where is Clermont Ferrand. A hundred volcanoes constitute it and the total width of alignment does not exceed 8 km. Average altitude is approximately 1100 m, the average of the nodes being around 1100 m, except for Puy de Dôme which culminates to 1465 Mr. Exceeding his neighbors thus, it constitutes a superb balcony of observation. At the left: location othe Chaîne des Puys in France (GIF 47 Ko) Massif Central Puy de Dôme(département) Chaîne des Puys

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