Guide to Cantal and Properties in Department 15

Cantal is a department located in the southern part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The departmental capital is Aurillac, known for its rich cultural heritage, including the famous International Street Theatre Festival. Other significant towns in the area include Saint-Flour and Mauriac.  The department is numbered 15 and shares borders with six different departments, namely Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire, Aveyron, Lot, Lozère, and Corrèze, in the Massif Central natural region. Cantal, along with Lozère and Creuse, is one of France's most sparsely populated and geographically isolated departments. Aurillac, the departmental capital, is the farthest removed from a major motorway, making it a peaceful and secluded destination for visitors seeking a quiet getaway.

The Cantal region is named after the Plomb du Cantal, the central peak of the Cantal mountain chain, which cuts across the region. The Cantal range comprises a group of extinct and eroded volcanic peaks, with the highest point being the Plomb du Cantal, which reaches an elevation of 1,858 meters. Puy Mary (1,787 meters) and Puy Chavaroche (1,744 meters) are its neighbours. To the north lie the Cézallier and Dore ranges and the arid Artense Plateau. The fertile Planèze Plateau lies immediately to the east, bordered on the east by the Monts de la Margeride.

The principal rivers in Cantal are the Alagnon (a tributary of the Allier), the Celle and Truyère (tributaries of the Lot), and the Cère and Rhue (tributaries of the Dordogne). The department has numerous natural resources, including dense forests, crystal clear lakes, and breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers.

The climate of Cantal is generally too cool and damp for grain farming, so much of the region is dedicated to pastures for Aubrac and Salers cattle, sheep, and formerly horses. This, in turn, supports a dairy industry responsible for butter and Roquefort cheese. The region is also known for its appellation-controlled cheeses, such as Cantal, Salers, and Bleu d'Auvergne. Cantal is the French department with the most significant number of appellation-controlled cheeses. However, proper Roquefort cheese production is now restricted to the Aveyron department.

The mineral products found in the region include coal, copper, lead, iron, antimony, granite, slate, and lime. However, the department's isolation and poor infrastructure have long precluded their exploitation. Before World War I, the primary exports were livestock, cheese, butter, and coal, while the main imports were coal, wine, grain, flour, and pottery. Today, Cantal is a vibrant region that offers something for everyone, from stunning natural scenery to delicious local cuisine and fascinating history and culture.