The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France, consiting of mountains and plateaus.

Subject to volcanism that has subsided in the last 10,000 years, these central mountains are separated from the Alps by the north-south trending Rhone River Basin.

Administration

The following départements are generally considered as part of the Massif: Allier, Ardèche, Aveyron, Cantal, Corrèze, Creuse, Haute-Loire, Haute-Vienne, Loire, Lot, Lozère and Puy-de-Dome.

The following régions are part of the Massif: Auvergne, Limousin. Part of the following régions are in the Massif: Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées, Rhône-Alpes.

The largest cities are Clermont-Ferrand and Saint-Étienne.

Mountains include

• Puy de Sancy (1886 m)
• Plomb du Cantal (1855 m)
• Puy Mary (1787 m)
• Mont Lozère (1702 m), the highest non-volcanic summit
• Mont Aigoual (1567 m)
• Puy de Dôme (1464 m)

Plateaus include

• Larzac

See also

• Geography of France