Mounts of Cantal

The Mounts of Cantal (or Volcanoes of Cantal; French: Monts du Cantal [mɔ̃ dy kɑ̃tal]) are a mountainous massif in the mid-west of the Massif Central, France, made up of the remnants of the largest stratovolcano of Europe, which was formed from 13 million years ago and last erupted approximately 2 million years ago, reaching estimated heights between 3,500 and 4,000 meters.

Its highest point is the Plomb du Cantal (1,855 m, 6,086 ft), located in the eastern part of the massif.

Around 20 valleys have been formed in the range, radiating out from the centre and cutting the basaltic plateau into triangular pieces called planèzes.

[3] The mounts of the Cantal are composed of several summits, the best known being: The major part of the economy is concentrated in the agriculture and in particular cattle farming.

[4] Besides this, there is a winter sports industry in le Lioran, the largest ski resort of the Massif Central.

Relief map of the Mounts of Cantal
Landscape of the Mounts of Cantal
A Salers cow in Cantal pastures