They form a picturesque mountainous region, dotted with lakes, thermal springs and romanesque churches.

The massif is an integral part of the Parc des Volcans d'Auvergne, and is known for its alpine ski areas and hiking trails.

The massif is much older than the nearby chaîne des Puys, dating to the end of the Tertiary era.

It is a deeply eroded stratovolcano, similar to the Cantal massif to the south, but more reduced in area and volume.

Its history began about 3 million years ago with a Plinian eruption that created a large caldera, the contours of which are no longer clearly defined.