Puy de Sancy (,
; oc, label=
Auvergnat
or (endonym: ) is a northern dialect of Occitan spoken in central and southern France, in particular in the former administrative region of Auvergne.
Currently, research shows that there is not really a true Auvergnat dialect but rather a va ...
, Puèi de la Crotz , ) is the highest mountain in 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 10,00 ...
. It is part of an ancient
stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a conical volcano built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava and tephra. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile with a summit crater and per ...
which has been
inactive
Inactive is a TRPV channel in invertebrates
Invertebrates are a paraphyletic group of animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column (commonly known as a ''backbone'' or ''spine''), derived from the notochord. This is a groupin ...
for about 220,000 years.
The northern and southern slopes are used for
skiing
Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IO ...
, and a number of
cablecar Cable car most commonly refers to the following cable transportation systems:
* Aerial lift, such as aerial tramways and gondola lifts, in which the vehicle is suspended in the air from a cable
** Aerial tramway
** Chairlift
** Gondola lift
*** Bi ...
s and
skilifts ascend the mountain. Skiing has been practised on the mountain since the early 20th century. Two local priests traversed the Puy de Sancy on skis in 1905. In 1936, a cable car link was built from
to one of the needles just below the summit. In December 1965, a cable car accident injured ten passengers and killed seven others.
Super-Besse
Super Besse is a winter sports resort located in Massif Central, France.
Geography
Super Besse located in the commune of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (''Parc naturel régional des volcans d'Auvergne'' in the department of Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne) ...
is another ski resort, located on the southwestern slope.
The valley to the north is also the source of two streams called ''Dore'' and ''Dogne'', which unite to form the
Dordogne
Dordogne ( , or ; ; oc, Dordonha ) is a large rural department in Southwestern France, with its prefecture in Périgueux. Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region roughly half-way between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees, it is named af ...
, which flows through the nearby
spa town
A spa town is a resort town based on a mineral spa (a developed mineral spring). Patrons visit spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits.
Thomas Guidott set up a medical practice in the English town of Bath in 1668. He ...
of
and on to the
Gironde estuary.
References
Sources
* .
External links
The Sancy Ski Area
{{Authority control
Landforms of Puy-de-Dôme
Inactive volcanoes
Landforms of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Massif Central
Mountains of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pleistocene volcanoes
Stratovolcanoes of Metropolitan France
Tourist attractions in Puy-de-Dôme