Page 274 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

The Auvergne – Centre of Volcanic Tourism in France 251

Table 17.3 Major mountains of the Auvergne characterized by an alignment of 80 young
volcanoes of diverse form and origin and the
Range Mountain Height (m)
Monts Dore Massif, a complex ensemble of
Chaîne des Puys Puy de Dôme 1464 volcanoes culminating in Puy de Sancy (1885m).
In this area there are also remnant glaciated valleys
Puy de Pariou 1210
(Vallée de Chaudefour, Fontaine Salée) containing
Puy de Lassolas 1187 a number of lakes such as Lac du Pavin and Guéry
ou Chambon. The center is occupied by the
Puy de la Vache 1167
Cézallier volcanic plateau massif, and in the south
Monts-Dores Puy de Sancy 1886 is the Monts du Cantal, the largest volcano in
Europe, with a diameter of 70km and an area of
Le Cantal Plomb du Cantal 1855
2
2500km . The Puy Mary, Plomb du Cantal and
Puy Mary 1787 the Puy Griou form the centre of this southern
area, and they are surrounded by deep valleys such
Forez Pierre-sur-Haute 1634
as the Mandailles ou Brezons. Also in the south is
Cevennes Mont Lozère 1702 (not volcanic) the subregion of l’Artense, which is an area that is
not the result of recent volcanic activity but is a
Mont Aigoual 1567
very old granite plateau.
Source: Graveline, 1999, p6 In this area use policies have to strike a balance
between fauna and flora protection, heritage protection
published descriptions of the Chaîne des Puys, and and renovation, tourism, and the needs of the
Scrope’s analysis of their geology laid the foundation communities within and adjacent to the park. For the
for many of the basic principles of the present-day preservation of environmental and cultural heritage
science of volcanology. the park’s charter and mission is five-fold, to:

Cultural and historical • protect the richness and to perennialize the
significance of the volcanic biodiversity of the natural inheritance;
environment • control the evolution of the landscapes and to
improve the framework of life;
A regional natural park (parc naturel régional • preserve the environmental resources (especially
(PNR)) is a public park established and operated water quality) and raw materials;
in partnership by local authorities and the French • develop and add value to the products and
government and covering a rural area of activities specific to the region; and
outstanding beauty, created in order to protect • enhance and protect the views of the park.
scenery and heritage as well as allowing for
sustainable economic development in the area. In order to achieve these objectives there are three
The authority for the creation of PNRs was basic policy actions in operation, the second of
established by a central government decree on 1 which is key to our discussion of tourism in this
March 1967, and the territory covered by each context:
PNR is decided by the Prime Minister’s Office
and reviewed every ten years. The Parc Naturel • develop the actions of dialogue and partnership
Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne (created 25 amongst stakeholders;
October 1977) was one of the earliest and covers • inform and sensitize visitors to the park on the
395,000 hectares at an altitude of between 400 richness and fragility of the area; and
and 1886 metres above sea level. It is 120km long, • develop and support economic, social and
contains 153 communes within its boundaries, technical studies of the environment of the area.
and is home to 88,000 inhabitants.
The park is divided into subregions; in the For the realization of these tasks the park has a
north is the Monts Dômes area, which is technical and administrative team whose members

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