Puy de Montoncel, Mountain summit in Bois Noirs, France
Puy de Montoncel is a mountain summit in the Massif Central located where Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, and Allier departments meet. The peak stands at 1287 meters and rises over open moors in a relatively undulating terrain.
The area received Natura 2000 protection status in 1995 to safeguard the last mountain moors of the massif. This designation helped secure the fragile ecosystems of the region for future generations.
The name of this summit connects to 'monachus tonsura', a reference to how the bare peak resembles a monk's shaved head. This link to monastic tradition shapes how local people think about the mountain today.
The summit can be reached through marked trails from Col de la Charme, Col des Planchettes, or the villages of La Lizolle and Les Cros. Each route offers different levels of effort and duration, with all paths clearly marked for walkers.
The slopes of this summit contain the sources of the Besbre River and tributaries of the Durolle and Credogne that feed the La Muratte dam. These hidden water sources make the mountain an important watershed for the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Vallée des Rouets
11.6 km
Château de Contenson
12.6 km
Pierres du Jour
11.2 km
Château de Chappes
11.1 km
Col Saint-Thomas
6.8 km
Château de Ferrières
11.1 km
Arboretum Paul Barge
11.7 km
Église Saint-Jean de Lavoine
5.3 km
Église Saint-Just de Saint-Just-en-Chevalet
12 km
Église Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue de La Monnerie-le-Montel
9.6 km
Église Saint-Blaise d'Arconsat
4.9 km
Église Saint-Taurin de Viscomtat
11.6 km
Église Saint-Prix de Saint-Priest-la-Prugne
5.4 km
Église Saint-Joseph de La Guillermie
7.2 km
Église de l'Immaculée-Conception de La Tuilière
8.5 km
Église Saint-Romain de Saint-Romain-d'Urfé
11.4 km
Église Saint-Georges de Chausseterre
8 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame du Château
11.6 km
Église Saint-Julien de Celles-sur-Durolle
9.3 km
Église de la Nativité-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie de Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle
9.3 km
Église Sainte-Marie de La Chabanne
11.1 km
Église Sainte-Foy de Cervières
11.1 km
Église Saint-Pierre des Salles
12.1 km
Chapelle Saint-Roch des Salles
11.4 km
Fontaine de la Conche
11.7 km
Viaduc des Peux
4.3 km
Lavoine rolling ball clock
5.2 km
L'Auditorium de Cervières
11.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes