At the centre of the Cantal Massif the ridges from the volcanic peaks
separate the cirques from which 15 glacial valleys radiate. The valleys separate
the high plateaux and the planezes.
It is necessary to distinguish between narrow, steep forested valleys and the
large gently sloping valleys. In the narrow valleys villages only exist on the
valley floor, as Falgoux, Fontanges, Thièzac, Le Claux and Lavessière. The large
valleys are dominated by pastures and meadows, with villages on the slopes, as
the Santoire and Siniq valleys. The open spaces are the planezes of St Flour,
Malbo, Pailharols and Cèzens, and the plateaux in the west and north west of
Limon, Plateau de Trizac and Salersois. The planezes are wedge shaped lava flows
which protect the underlying ground from erosion, and have several depressions.
The villages are built in the low areas sheltered by ash and pine trees. The
plateaux have a gentle relief shaped by glaciers and water. Cows and horses
graze in their immense expanse and mill aroundthe burons.
The Peripheral Massif
The periphery slopes gently towards the crystalline soils of Limousin in the
west, Châtaigneraie in the south and Margeride in the east. The large fertile
glacial valleys of the volcanoes often collect granite and schists, from the
older ground, in the gorges. The forest dominates here. Volcanic remains lie in
mounds of trachyte or phonolite as Puy de Menoyre near Menet. Other glacial
valleys open onto fertile plains, the Cère valley, for example, emerges onto the
Aurillac basin.
Walking in
the Cantal for information on walking and walks in France
and the Cantal, accommodation, food and wine.
