The Gergovie plateau is a

plateau In geology and physical geography, a plateau (; ; ), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. Often one or more sides ...

of the

Massif Central The (; oc, Massís Central, ; literally ''"Central Massif"'') is a highland region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaus. It covers about 15% of mainland France. Subject to volcanism that has subsided in the last 10,0 ...

located 10 km to the south of

Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, ; ; oc, label=Auvergnat, Clarmont-Ferrand or Clharmou ; la, Augustonemetum) is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with a population of 146,734 (2018). Its metropolitan area (''aire d'attract ...

Puy-de-Dôme Puy-de-Dôme (; oc, label=Auvergnat, lo Puèi de Doma or ''lo Puèi Domat'') is a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the centre of France. In 2019, it had a population of 662,152.Auvergne Auvergne (; ; oc, label= Occitan, Auvèrnhe or ) is a former administrative region in central France, comprising the four departments of Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal and Haute-Loire. Since 1 January 2016, it has been part of the new region Au ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

and is named after the nearby village of Gergovie. It is the site of the

Battle of Gergovia The Battle of Gergovia took place in 52 BC in Gaul at Gergovia, the chief oppidum (fortified town) of the Arverni. The battle was fought between a Roman Republican army, led by proconsul Julius Caesar, and Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix, wh ...

between

Vercingetorix Vercingetorix (; Greek: Οὐερκιγγετόριξ; – 46 BC) was a Gallic king and chieftain of the Arverni tribe who united the Gauls in a failed revolt against Roman forces during the last phase of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. Despite ha ...

and

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, ...

in 52 BC.

Location

The plateau is located at 744 meters above sea level, and from it can be seen

Chaîne des Puys The Chaîne des Puys () is a north-south oriented chain of cinder cones, lava domes, and maars in the Massif Central of France. The chain is about 40 km (25 mi) long, and the identified volcanic features, which constitute a volcanic ...

, and the Plaine des Sarlièves (Plain of Sarlièves), along with the Zénith d'Auvergne and the

Puy de Sancy Puy de Sancy (, ; oc, label=Auvergnat, Puèi de la Crotz , ) is the highest mountain in the Massif Central. It is part of an ancient stratovolcano which has been inactive for about 220,000 years. The northern and southern slopes are used f ...

which dominates the Auvergne from it position 1886m above sea level.

Attractions

A reconstructed "Gallic hut", with an accompanying permanent exhibition ("La Maison de Gergovie") can be seen on the plateau.

Events

Cervolix

"Cervolix" - an association of kite fliers and kite surfers on the plateau. It is also used, since 1995, by remote-controlled aircraft fliers. Image:Cervolix1.jpg, Cervolix 2006 Image:Cervolix2.jpg, Cervolix 2006 Image:Cervolix3.jpg, Cervolix 2006 Image:Cervolix4.jpg, Cervolix 2006

Les Arverniales

"Les Arverniales" is an archaeological festival held on the plateau, consisting of two days of reconstructions, experimental archeology and living history displays.

Exhibitions

Sculptures by Yves Guérin have also been displayed on the plateau since January 2007.

External links

Tourist office of Gergovie Val d'Allier

Summary of the plateau's history

Cervolix
{{Coord, 45, 43, 13, N, 3, 7, 5, E, type:mountain_region:FR, display=t Plateaus of Metropolitan France Landforms of Puy-de-Dôme Landforms of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes