Le Puy Mary

Le Claux

Description

Designated a “Grand Site de France,” the majestic pyramidal silhouette of Puy Mary (1,787 m) offers an exceptional panoramic view. Easily accessible by car, climb one of the remnants of Europe’s largest volcano!

A volcano located in the heart of the Cantal Mountains and the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park, the Cantalian Massif is the oldest of the Auvergne’s giants. Unlike the Chaîne des Puys (a chain of 80 small volcanoes) located in the neighboring department of Puy-de-Dôme, the Cantalian Massif consists of a single volcano, the largest stratovolcano in Europe, spanning 2,700 km²...

Puy Mary is one of the peaks of the Monts du Cantal, formed by the erosion of the stratovolcano and the intersection of several glacial cirques. Although it is not the highest peak in the massif, the pyramidal silhouette of Puy Mary (1,787 m) is instantly recognizable.

This iconic peak has been developed in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, balancing landscape preservation, the “spirit of the place,” the quality of visitor services, and the involvement of local residents and partners in the site’s management. These years of commitment to the landscape have earned Puy Mary a place among the twenty or so sites certified by the prestigious Grands Sites de France network.

Did you know? The name Puy Mary is said to derive from Marius, a disciple of Saint Austremoine, the first evangelizer of Auvergne.

From the Pas de Peyrol Pass, it takes thirty minutes on foot (195m elevation gain)* to reach the orientation table at the summit of Puy Mary. A trail equipped with steps and risers leads to an extraordinary panoramic view of the stratovolcano: its radiating glacial valleys, its roughly triangular-shaped summer pasture plateaus, and its rocky peaks...

On the way back down toward the pass, the visitor center helps you understand this landscape through a video and appreciate the area’s richness thanks to various summer activities.

*You are in a mountainous area; weather conditions can change very quickly. Be sure to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately (wear suitable footwear for both summer and winter).

2026 parking fee: €5/day.