Réserve naturelle régionale du cratère du Mont-Bar

The Mont-Bar crater houses a peat bog within its 500-meter-wide volcanic structure, rising to an elevation of 1,172 meters in Haute-Loire department.

The volcanic crater formed over 790,000 years ago through strombolian eruptions, and archaeological excavations in 1821 revealed ancient gold medals and artifacts.

The site maintains educational facilities including interpretive trails and an exhibition space in Allègre's youth center focusing on volcanic and ecological education.

Visitors can explore the reserve through marked paths around the crater while learning about local flora and fauna from information panels along the route.

This location contains the only peat bog situated within a volcanic crater in France, supporting specific plant species including carnivorous sundews and sphagnum mosses.

Location: Allègre

Inception: July 20, 1990

GPS coordinates: 45.19640,3.72583

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:58