Mont Mezenc

According to estimates, Mount Mézenc is around eight million years old. It is composed of phonolite, a rock of volcanic origin characteristic of our territory, which has the particularity of “singing” when two stones are struck against each other.

The north dome, called the Mézenc cross, constitutes the highest peak in Haute-Loire, while the south dome is the highest point in Ardèche. A saddled ridge half a kilometer long connects the two domes.

The relief of Mont Mézenc is constantly changing under the action of rain, erosion and sometimes steep slopes on the Ardèche side.

Phonolite, a gray magmatic rock, has also been widely used to make the roofs of houses in the Ardèche Mountains.

Mont Mézenc extends over the communes of La Rochette and Borée. Its crest line follows that of the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean.

From either summit of Mont Mézenc, you can admire the surroundings at 360°. An orientation table allows you to find your way from the Ardèche dome. In good weather, beyond the Montagne d'Ardèche and Velay, the Alps and Mont Blanc reveal themselves to your eyes. On the other side, the Cantal massif and the Puy-de-Dôme can be seen. Ventoux, with its pale summit that seems to be perpetually snow-covered, is also visible from Mont Mézenc. Finally, to the south the Rhône valley unfolds its vast plains.

From the tender greens of spring to the dazzling whites of winter, nature surpasses itself throughout the seasons. In terms of flora, Mont Mézenc offers a different spectacle throughout the year and is home to mountain species and moorland landscapes. Gentian, willowherb and sundew rub shoulders with anemones and bellflowers in a festival of colors. There is also a variety of ragwort which only grows at the top of Mézenc.

In terms of wildlife, the star species of the site is certainly the marmot! Reintroduced more than 40 years ago, the friendly mammals are now well established in the Mézenc massif. They share this superb territory with the charming Tengmalm owl and many other species of birds.

There are different hiking routes to tackle the Mézenc. You can also go to the Montagne d’Ardèche Tourist Office to obtain detailed information and an IGN map of the region.

Download the Rando Monts d’Ardèche application or consult the hiking trails around Mézenc here: Hiking Monts d’Ardèche

Even if the hike has a certain difference in altitude, the ascent of Mézenc is easily completed in two hours round trip in the summer, from the Croix des Boutières car park.
As Mont Mézenc is a classified site, hiking on marked trails remains essential.
Little tip from your tourist office: in the summer, when there are many hikers and temperatures rise, we advise you to opt for an ascent early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Having breakfast at first light or admiring the sunset from the summit of Mont Mézenc is a unique experience!

Thanks to the combined efforts of the Montagne d'Ardèche Tourist Office and local service providers, this superb area has become the ideal setting for an exotic holiday. In the surroundings of Mont Mézenc, you can discover the natural, geological and cultural wonders of the region, from the famous juices to remarkable buildings.

The offer of accommodation, restaurants and activities in all seasons makes the Montagne d'Ardèche a real pleasure destination. See you soon !