Allier
The département of Allier, lies on the northern rim of the Massif Central.  Allier was formed from the old province of Bourbonnais and part of the old province of Auvergne. Allier is bounded on the northeast by the Loire River, and the Cher River flows parallel to the Allier across the département's western portion. Allier is traversed from south to north by the Allier River.  Livestock is raised in the north-central part of the département. The Limagne Bourbonnais, in the south-central part of the département, is fertile and well cultivated.

Cantal
The département  of Cantal,is located in the higher, southern portion of the ancient province of Auvergne.  Cantal is located on the edge of the Massif Central.  At its center is a symmetrical volcanic mass called the Massif Cantal, which culminates in the 6096 foot high precipice known as the Plomb du Cantal. Sheets of solidified lava flow extend from the central core southeast and north. Streams arise and radiate to the Allier, Dordogne, and Truyère rivers, cutting through the volcanic rock and forming passes at the valley heads. The rivers are a source of hydroelectric power.

In the high country an alpine pastoral economy prevails. The cattle graze on upland pastures (aigades) from May to September. The herdsmen summer in low stone burons (seasonal shelters) where the Cantal cheeses are also made. the milk of 30 cows going into one 50-kilogram (110-pound) wheel of cheese.

Return to Top

Haute-Loire
The département of Haute-Loire, was created chiefly from the Velay district of the historic province of Languedoc and from a part of eastern Auvergne. With an average elevation of 3,000 feet (900 m), it occupies some of the wildest regions of the Massif Central and contains some of its highest mountains. The upper Loire River, flowing northeastward, waters the eastern half of the département, while the upper Allier River, flowing northwestward, waters its western section. They are divided in the south by the Devès chain and in the north by the Livradois Mountains. Le Puy-en-Velay, the départemental capital and former capital of Velay, lies at an elevation of more than 2,000 feet at the center of a small, fertile basin.

Among the features are the crater lake of Le Bouchet, the gorges of the Loire and the Allier Rivers, and the numerous medieval churches--made of the local volcanic lavas in different colors--which include Saint-Robert in La Chaise-Dieu, the Basilica of Saint-Julien in Brioude, and two Romanesque churches in Le Puy-en-Velay: Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe and Notre-Dame-du-Puy.  The latter possesses a celebrated "Black Virgin".

Return to Top
 

Puy-de-Dôme
The département of Haute-Loire, was created chiefly from the Velay district of the historic province of Languedoc and from a part of eastern Auvergne. With an average elevation of 3,000 feet (900 m), it occupies some of the wildest regions of the Massif Central and contains some of its highest mountains. The upper Loire River, flowing northeastward, waters the eastern half of the département, while the upper Allier River, flowing northwestward, waters its western section. They are divided in the south by the Devès chain and in the north by the Livradois Mountains. Le Puy-en-Velay, the départemental capital and former capital of Velay, lies at an elevation of more than 2,000 feet at the center of a small, fertile basin.

Among the features are the crater lake of Le Bouchet, the gorges of the Loire and the Allier, and the numerous medieval churches--made of the local volcanic lavas in different colours--which include Saint-Robert in La Chaise-Dieu, the Basilica of Saint-Julien in Brioude, and two Romanesque churches in Le Puy-en-Velay: Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe and Notre-Dame-du-Puy.  The latter posesses a celebrated "Black Virgin".

Return to Top