The early pastoral activity
modified the higher ground. Evidence of mans’ transformation on these mountains
is everywhere. The natural pastures, small and sometimes poor, as moor land,
changed to vast grassy areas of the estive. This transformation was achieved by
clearing and burning the trees to work the land, piece by piece, season after
season, creating suitable conditions for livestock. In its most ancient form,
the system operated with several villages having a common estive nearby.
In the large glacial valleys
man laid out a landscape of 'bocage'. Their level floors were covered with a
carpet of irregular parcels of land, fenced with hedges of hazel, wild
rose and ash.
Today these are being removed
to allow access to large farm machinery. On the planezes with fewer
trees, the inhabitants originally separated their cultivated land with stone
walls. These walls too have gradually been destroyed as the plateaux are now devoted to pasture.
Walking in
the Cantal for information on walking and walks in France
and the Cantal, accommodation, food and wine.
