CANTAL INFORMATION
CANTAL Geography
The department is part of the current region of Auvergne and is surrounded by the department of Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire, in region of Midi-Pyrénées : Aveyron and Lot, in region of Languedoc-Roussillon, Lozère, and the region of Limousin by the departemnt of Corrèze.
The principal towns are Aurillac, Saint-Flour, and Mauriac. The topography of Cantal is hilly, the highest point is Le Plomb du Cantal, 1858 metres.
CANTAL Climate
The department of the Cantal has different types of climates according to the geographical position.
The west is well watered, thanks to abundant precipitations coming from the Atlantic. The temperatures are smooth generally, whereas the East is much drier and cooler.
As a matter of fact, there is abundant precipitation on the central area. To this fact, it is necessary to add the effect of the altitude: the climate is quite cold in winter (It snows almost every winter) but it can be very hot during the summer (especially in the southern part of the department which has borders with Aveyron and Lot)
In the central part of the department, that it is to say the highest ground, the altitude surpasses 1,000m easily: It can be very cold, The snow falls in abundance and can remains up to six months on the tops. The temperatures can fall, in the heart of the winter, to below -15 °C, whereas at the height of summer 25 °C is often reached.
The weather forecast of the television networks often indicates Aurillac as the coldest city of France in the morning. Whilst not doubting the temperatures observed by Meteo France, it is helpful to explain why. The explanation is simple:
The scientific weather station of Aurillac is at an altitude of 640 metres.
The temperature diminishes at 1 °C each 150 m.
Meteo France only puts an index of 30 cities on the map and Aurillac is the only city at this altitude.
These low morning temperatures could indicate an inhospitable place with a grey and low sky. The reality is totally different: In Aurillac fog is rare and disappears quickly. There is generous sun all year long and the wind is not usually strong. Cantal is well South (same latitude as Bordeaux) and the annual sunshine hours show it: We just have to compare the annual number of hours of sunshine (average from 1991 to 2000):
Nimes: 2590 h - Millau : 2120 h - Aurillac: 2080 h - Toulouse: 2010 h - Bordeaux: 1990 h - Lyon: 1930 h - Limoges: 1870 h - Tours: 1800 h - Nantes: 1690 h - Paris: 1630 h.
The Cantal is a mountainous department whose altitude varies between 250 m in the valley of the Lot River and 1855 m in the top of Plomb du Cantal. The temperature variations can be very high from one place to another. It is not colder in the Cantal than in other mountainous regions like the Vosges or Jura. The prevailing winds and the relief divide the Cantal into 4 climatic zones:
The West is subject to oceanic winds which bring rains.
The mounts of the Cantal and the Cézallier, which create a rain shadow, have a specific climate: it rains and snows quite often.
The Planèze of Saint-Flour and the region of Massiac receive less precipitation, owing to winds coming from the North and the South.
The plateaus of the Margeride and the Aubrac have harsh winters and pleasant summers.
Communes of Cantal are regularly submitted to violent summer storms. According to specialists, the lightning flashes in this department are among the most spectacular in France.
CANTAL Patrimony
The department counts several remarkable buildings. Among them, the Romanesque religious buildings like the churches of Cheylade (century Xi), Dieno or Massiac. Some churches are in the Gothic style like the cathedral of St Pierre de Saint-Flour (century XV).
Castle of Val in Lanobre (36,500 visitors/year)
Castle of Anjony in Tournemire (20,000 visitors/year)
Castle of Pesteils in Polminhac (11,700 visitors/year)
Castle of the Grapevine in Ally (6,000 visitors/year)
Castle of Clavières in Ayrens
CANTAL Cuisine
Dishes of Cantal are made of basic recipes. In origin, they were designed to satisfiy hill farmers. They had very physical work: Looking after cows, the manufacture of cheese, etc.
Thus, ham, cheese, vegetables are at the basis of the dishes in this department, such as:
The Aligot (also in Aveyron): Cheese (Fresh Tome) with creamed potatoes
The Truffade: Crushed potatoes with cheese (Fresh Tome) garlic and lardons.
The Pounti: A dish made with herbs, lard and Swiss chard.
The typical cheese Cantal, which can be chosen young, old or "entre-deux".
CANTAL Administration
Department number : 15
Region : Auvergne
Prefecture : Aurillac
Subprefectures : Mauriac, Saint-Flour
Arrondissements : 3
Cantons : 27
Communes : 260
CANTAL HOLIDAY RENTALS in AUVERGNE Region
MORE THAN 10.000 B&B in all France
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