Puy de Massebœuf, Mountain summit in Cantal, France.
The Puy de Massebœuf is a mountain peak reaching 1,395 meters within the Monts du Cantal range and overlooks the valleys of Alagnon and Cère. Two chairlifts serve the mountain: Prairie des Sagnes from the resort center and Massebœuf from Font d'Alagnon station.
In the 19th century, construction of France's first road tunnel beneath the mountain set a world record for length, with workers from across Europe spending years on the project. This ambitious undertaking shaped French mining and infrastructure history.
The slopes have long supported both winter sports at the Le Lioran resort and summer grazing of traditional Auvergne cattle in alpine meadows. These contrasting seasonal uses reflect the mountain's role in shaping local traditions and rural life.
The mountain is easily reached by either of two chairlifts and offers straightforward access regardless of which route you choose. Visitors should prepare for changing mountain weather and bring appropriate clothing.
The mountain contains three tunnels at different elevations: the original historic road passage, France's highest railway tunnel, and a modern road tunnel completed in 2007. These varied structures reveal how transportation technology evolved across more than a century.
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