Mont Mézenc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mont Mézenc |
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The two summits of Mont Mézenc : the northern summit to the left and the southern summit to the right.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,753 m (5,751 ft) |
| Prominence | 793 m (2,602 ft) |
| Geography | |
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| Location | Ardèche and Haute-Loire departments, France |
| State/Province | FR |
| Parent range | Massif Central |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | from Les Estables |
Mont Mézenc is a famous mountain in France. It is part of the Massif du Mézenc mountain range, which is found within the larger Massif Central. This mountain sits right on the edge of two French areas called Ardèche and Haute-Loire. It's special because it's the highest point in both of these areas!
Mont Mézenc is also located inside the "Natural regional park of the Mountains of Ardèche" (which is called French: Parc naturel régional des Monts d'Ardèche in French). This means the area around the mountain is protected for its natural beauty.
Exploring Mont Mézenc's Geography
Mont Mézenc is the tallest mountain on the eastern side of the Massif Central. It actually has two main summits, which are like the highest points or peaks of the mountain. These two peaks are about half a kilometer (0.3 miles) apart.
The Two Main Peaks
Mont Mézenc has two distinct peaks, each with its own special features:
- The southern peak is the taller of the two. It reaches a height of 1,753 meters (5,751 feet). This peak is located in a village area called Borée in the Ardèche department. It is the very highest spot in the Ardèche department.
- The northern peak is slightly shorter, standing at 1,744 meters (5,722 feet) tall. This peak is where three different village areas meet: La Rochette (in Ardèche), Chaudeyrolles (in Haute-Loire), and Les Estables (also in Haute-Loire). It is the highest point in the Haute-Loire department. You can find a large cross made of iron on top of this northern peak. This cross was placed there by French prisoners after they returned home from Germany.
How Mont Mézenc Was Formed
Mont Mézenc was created by a volcano a very long time ago. It's a type of volcanic dome, which is a rounded hill formed when thick lava slowly pushes up from below the ground. The mountain is made of a special kind of volcanic rock called phonolite. Today, the mountain is covered with green grasslands and areas of heath, which are open lands with small shrubs.
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Mont Mézenc in winter.
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The Massif du Mézenc area within the Massif Central.
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The cross on the northern summit.
