Puy de la Bannière, Extinct volcano in Volvic, France
Puy de la Bannière is an extinct volcano located within the Puys mountain range in the Massif Central of central France. This cone is part of a larger chain of volcanic formations that shape the terrain around Volvic.
In 1861, the School of Architecture in Volvic created a Way of the Cross to connect the town with the Virgin statue on the slopes. This pathway marked how the volcano became woven into the spiritual and cultural fabric of the area.
The Virgin statue Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde stands on the volcanic slopes, built from local stone and visible from the town below. This monument shows how the volcano has shaped the identity and landmarks of the surrounding area.
A walking trail circles the volcano starting near the Volvic spring, with clear paths and good signage throughout. The route is accessible on foot and works well for a half-day outing at a moderate pace.
From the summit, the flat Limagne plain stretches into the distance with several towns visible across the horizon. This sweeping view shows how the volcano stands out above the surrounding landscape.
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