The Brecoune ridge is a rocky spur extending from Puy Brunet into the Cère Valley. Part of this is called L’Arpon du Diable which was the Occitan name for The Devil’s Claws. According to legend, it is the site of a struggle between St Peter and the Devil.

One day God the Father sent St Peter for a cure in the Cantal. Gravely ill he needed to take the waters at Vic sur Cère to aid his recovery.

Benefiting from an improvement in his health, St Peter decided to make a pilgrimage to Notre Dame at Lescure. On the return journey he met a charming young girl, who suggested that they should walk together. The man walked as fast as his old legs could carry him, but gradually night fell. Arriving on the Brécoune ridge the young girl invited the great saint to sit beside her on the soft grass. Coming from a young girl, this invitation troubled him. He was on the point of agreeing when he saw a strange flame in the eyes of his companion.

Panic stricken he fell on his knees and prayed to God and Our Lady, making a sign of a large cross. In the half light the saint saw the young girl become pale. Her eyes threw flashes of lightening, horrible horns pushed through her forehead, a ghastly sniggering laugh rose from her insides, and the devil himself appeared. Immediately a terrible conflict began. Despite his age and carried by a divine force St Peter gave Satan a mighty battle. He grabbed the devil and sent him rolling into the depths. Vainly, the devil tried to resist but only managed to reach for the rocks. He left the imprint of his five claws on the rocks that he had grabbed. These are the five large crevasses called L’Arpon du Diable between the Pranadag buron and Puy Brunet.