Roc de Montalet, Granite summit in Lacaune, France
Roc de Montalet is a granite summit in Lacaune that rises to 1,259 meters (4,131 feet) within the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park. The top offers views across the surrounding mountain ranges and toward the distant Pyrenees.
In 1792, astronomers Delambre and Méchain used this summit as a reference point to measure the distance between Dunkirk and Barcelona. This scientific work became part of a major survey project that shaped understanding of the Earth's size.
A statue of the Virgin Mary from 1882 stands at the summit on a tall base, marking this as a place where pilgrims come to pray. Visitors climb here not just for the views but also to experience this religious landmark.
The main hiking trail starts from Place General de Gaulle in Lacaune and reaches the summit after covering approximately 19 kilometers. Allow between 5 to 6 hours for the full walk, depending on your pace and how often you stop to rest.
The mountain transitions between moorland and beech forest zones, where plants such as broom, blueberries, and gentian bloom throughout the year. Each season transforms the landscape with different colors and shifts the overall appearance of the slopes.
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