Grand Sarcoui, Dome volcano in Puy-de-Dôme, France
Grand Sarcouy is a volcano in the Chaîne des Puys with a distinct bowl shape formed by trachytic lava, rising to 1,147 meters (3,763 ft). The eastern slope contains a former quarry with an unfinished stone sarcophagus left behind from medieval times.
This volcano formed through eruption roughly 12,000 years ago and later became a site of human activity. From the 5th to the 8th century, Merovingian workers quarried trachyte blocks here to craft stone sarcophagi for burials.
The name Sarcouy comes from an Auvergne dialect word meaning coffin, reflecting how this place was tied to burial traditions and memory. Visitors walking the slopes can sense this historical connection to the people who once worked the stone here.
The best way to experience this site is by hiking the marked trails that wind across the slopes. The former quarry on the eastern side is accessible, though visitors should watch for uneven ground and take a light if exploring deeper inside the cave.
The magma chamber beneath the mountain continues to cool slowly and still releases warmth. This underground heat reminds visitors that geological forces remain at work even though the volcano has been quiet for thousands of years.
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