Haute-Loire is a department located in south-central France and is part of the
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Its capital and largest town is Le Puy-en-Velay. Haute-Loire (department number 43) is bordered to the north by Puy-de-Dôme and Loire, to the east by Ardèche, to the south by Lozère, and to the west by Cantal. The river Loire runs through the department, creating a wide valley, while on either side of it lie ranges of mountains in the Massif Central. The northern part of Haute-Loire is part of the Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park, which is a protected area of traditionally farmed agricultural land and woodland covering a total area of 297,000 hectares. Haute-Loire has four mountain ranges running north and south, which are
Haut-Vivarais and its continuation, the
Boutières range, the
Massif du Meygal, the Velay Mountains, and the Margeride Mountains.
Elevation and Geography
The highest point in the department is
Mont Mézenc, which is 1,753 metres high, and its average elevation is 719 metres. Two-thirds of the area is above 800 meters, and the lowest is 393 metres.
Cultural Heritage and Historical Connections
Historically, Velay has been associated with the traditional region of Vivarais, which is now part of
Ardèche. The two areas share a common dialect, which is similar to that spoken in the south of Dauphiné, probably due to the trade links between the two regions.
Tourism and Pilgrimage Sites
Haute-Loire has attractive landscapes and is a popular tourist destination. Le Puy-en-Velay has a historic cathedral where pilgrims gather before starting their journey to Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, as part of the
routes of Santiago de Compostela. Another pilgrimage site is at Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe, a twelfth-century chapel on top of a rocky pinnacle approached by a flight of 268 steps.
Key Information about Haute-Loire
- Main City/Prefecture: Le Puy-en-Velay
- Nearest Airport: Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon Airport
- Population: Around 230,000 (as of the latest census)
- Area: 4,977 sq. kilometres and 1,921 sq. miles
- Landmark: Le Puy Cathedral, a UNESCO Heritage Site and starting point of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage.
- Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 1.3 million, attracted by its volcanic landscapes, religious heritage, and hiking trails.