Mont Aigoual, Mountain summit in Lozère, France
Mont Aigoual is a mountain peak in the Cévennes that rises 1567 meters above sea level. On clear days, visitors can see thirteen French departments from the summit, and on exceptionally clear afternoons, the Mediterranean coast and distant Alpine ridges become visible.
A weather observatory was constructed on the mountain between 1887 and 1894 and remains France's last inhabited meteorological station at high altitude. Staff there continue daily measurements and observations, making this facility an important record of early climate research and scientific dedication to understanding mountain weather.
The annual transhumance festival in June features decorated sheep flocks moving through l'Espérou village, maintaining traditional pastoral practices of the Cévennes region.
Several marked trails crisscross the slopes and are suitable for hiking and mountain biking during warmer months. The nearby Prat Peyrot ski resort offers alpine runs at different difficulty levels when snow arrives in winter.
The mountain receives about 2250 millimeters of rain annually, making it France's wettest location. This happens because weather systems from the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet here, causing moist air to rise and release its water.
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