Crédits photo bandeau La Vallée de Chaudefour dans le Sancy avec la Chaîne des Puys Faille de Limagne en arrière-plan
Situated at the heart of the Regional Nature Park of Auvergne Volcanoes, the Massif du Sancy is offering a wonderful volcanic and unique landscape in France and a remarkable biodiversity
The largest and one of the oldest natural parks in France, the goal of the Auvergne Volcanoes park is the protection and promotion of the vast inhabited rural areas, with an approach centred on sustainable development for today and the future.
It stretches over 2 departments (Puy-de-Dôme and Cantal) and includes 4 volcanic ranges: Chaîne des Puys (Puy de Dôme, 1465m), Monts Dore (Puy de Sancy, 1886m), Cézallier (Signal du Luguet, 1551m) and Monts du Cantal (Plomb du Cantal, 1855m).
Pratique
The Regional Nature Park of Auvergne Volcanoes House is open to the public from April to September: information, exhibition, shop... on the town of Aydat near the Puys de La Vache and Lassolas.
The Salt Fountain in Chasteix-Sancy Nature Reserve
Carte du Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
The Salt Fountain in Chasteix-Sancy Nature Reserve
Of the five National Nature Reserves of the Volcano Park, three are in the Sancy Massif:
Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve
Lac d'en bas in The Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve
The Massif du Sancy counts numerous animal species too; most of them have been placed here. We can see mouflons, during winter or at the start of spring, chamois, groundhogs or deer.
Waters are also the perfect place for wild species such as fishes or otters.
Finally, birds are taking advantages of the fresh air and vegetation to live and nation the Sancy’s sky: nozzles, falcons, eagles, kites, black ravens, barn owls, long-eared owls and the very rare rock thrushes.
Marmot in Chaudefour Valley
Apollo Butterfly in Chaudefour Valley National Nature Reserve
Marmot in Chaudefour Valley
Nature lovers, you will love the Massif du Sancy! The floral periods are succeeding from March to October, with rich and various colors that changes a bit every day the landscapes. We can for example see :
A mountain land, with Alpine and Pyrenean plant origins is living the Sancy pastures at 1500 meters altitude (alpine soldanella, Sulphur anemone, Alps forget-me-not). Pastures shelter poppies, lilies, geraniums and February Daphne.
Beautiful gentian plants
