Le Mont-Dore (France)

For the suburb of Nouméa, New Caledonia, see Le Mont-Dore (New Caledonia).
Le Mont-Dore

Mont-Dore with the Puy de Sancy in the background
Le Mont-Dore

Coordinates: 45°34′38″N 2°48′35″E / 45.5772°N 2.8097°E / 45.5772; 2.8097Coordinates: 45°34′38″N 2°48′35″E / 45.5772°N 2.8097°E / 45.5772; 2.8097
Country France
Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department Puy-de-Dôme
Arrondissement Clermont-Ferrand
Canton Rochefort-Montagne
Government
 • Mayor (2001–2008) Jean-François Dubourg
Area1 35.87 km2 (13.85 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 1,504
 • Density 42/km2 (110/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 63236 / 63240
Elevation 897–1,883 m (2,943–6,178 ft)
(avg. 1,050 m or 3,440 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Le Mont-Dore (Mont Dòr in Occitan), formerly called Mont-Dore-les-Bains, is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.

Geography

Le Mont-Dore is located in the Massif Central, on the right bank of the Dordogne River not far from its source, and 50 km (31 mi) by road S.W. of Clermont-Ferrand. The Monts Dore close the valley towards the south.

Thermal springs

The thermal springs of Le Mont-Dore, now numbering twelve, were known to the Romans. Bicarbonate of soda, iron and arsenic are the principal ingredients of the waters, which are used both for drinking and bathing. Hot baths are characteristic of the treatment; they are believed to be efficacious for tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, and nervous and rheumatic paralysis. Due to the elevation and exposure of the valley, the climate of Le Mont-Dore is relatively severe, and the season only lasts from 15 June to 15 September. The bath-house was rebuilt in 1891-1894.

Ski resort

Le Mont-Dore is a ski resort with runs on the slopes of the Puy de Sancy and the Puy Ferrand. 30 runs account for 42 km of downhill skiing, served by a number of lifts of different types. There are also 25 km of cross-country trails.

Sights

In the town park, along the Dordogne, relics of the old Roman baths have been collected. The surrounding country, with its fir woods, pastures, waterfalls and mountains, is very attractive. To the south is the Puy de Sancy (1886 m or 6189 ft), the loftiest peak of central France.

Gallery

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme).
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Le Mont-Dore.

References

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, June 21, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.