Puy de Montchal, Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise

Puy de Montchal is an extinct volcano standing at about 1400 meters (4600 feet), with a crater surrounded by dense conifer forests and flower-filled meadows. The crater walls drop steeply, creating a clear depression visible within the wooded landscape.

This volcano formed roughly 7000 years ago during a Strombolian eruption, making it the youngest volcanic feature of its kind in the country. Since then it has remained dormant, silently shaping the regional landscape.

The volcano sits within the Monts Dore range, where local life has long been shaped by its dramatic volcanic terrain and forest cover. The steep slopes and open meadows influence how people move through and experience this part of Auvergne.

The best way to explore this site is via marked hiking trails starting from Besse, offering a worthwhile circuit through forests and open areas. The terrain is fairly steep in places, so sturdy footwear and adequate time are recommended for the walk.

The crater is remarkably small, just a few hundred square meters, and appears almost like a hidden hole suddenly revealed within the thick forest canopy. This narrow depression with its raw crater walls creates a striking shift in atmosphere when you step from dense woodland directly to its edge.