Puy de Sancy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puy de Sancy |
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South face of Puy de Sancy viewed from Tour Carrée
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,885 m (6,184 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,578 m (5,177 ft) |
| Parent peak | Monts Dore |
| Geography | |
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| Location | Puy-de-Dôme departement, France |
| State/Province | FR |
| Parent range | Massif Central |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
Puy de Sancy is a tall mountain in France. It's the highest point in the Massif Central mountain range. This mountain is actually an old stratovolcano, which is a type of volcano that hasn't erupted for about 250,000 years, making it inactive.
You can find Puy de Sancy in the Puy-de-Dôme area, which is a 'departement' (like a county) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It stands at about 1,885 meters (6,184 feet) above sea level. This makes it the tallest spot in both the departement and the region.
What's in a Name?
During the 1800s, this mountain was known as Puy de la Croix. This name means "Mount of the Cross" in French. It got this name because there used to be a large cross right on its summit, which is the very top of the mountain. Even today, people who speak the Occitan language still use a similar name for it: Puèi de la Crotz.
Where is Puy de Sancy?
Puy de Sancy is located in the Monts Dore. This is a chain of volcanic mountains found in the middle of the Massif Central. The mountain is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of a city called Clermont-Ferrand. It is also part of a special protected area known as the Parc naturel régional des volcans d'Auvergne, which means "Regional Nature Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes."
Many small rivers, also called streams, begin their journey on the sides of Puy de Sancy. For example, in the valley north of the mountain, two streams named Dore and Dogne start. At an altitude (height above sea level) of about 1,370 meters (4,495 feet), these two streams join together. When they meet, they form the famous Dordogne River.
Skiing and Fun
Puy de Sancy is a popular place for winter sports. There are three main ski resorts located on the mountain's slopes, which are the sides of the mountain. These resorts are:
- Super-Besse
- Mont-Dore
- Chastreix-Sancy
The Super-Besse and Mont-Dore resorts are often grouped together and called the Grand Sancy. These places are perfect for people who love to go skiing and enjoy the snow.
