Puy de Peyre-Arse

The Puy de Peyre-Arse is a peak in the volcanic massif of Cantal (Massif Central), separating the valleys of the Jordanne [fr], Impradine, and Santoire [fr]. It reaches an altitude of 1,806 meters.

Puy de Peyre-Arse
The South face of Puy de Peyre-Arse.
Highest point
Elevation	1,806 m (5,925 ft)
Coordinates	45°06′36″N 2°42′39″E
Geography
Puy de Peyre-Arse France
Location	Cantal departement, France
Parent range	Mounts of Cantal (Massif Central)

Toponymy

Pèira arsa means "burnt stone" in Auvergnat, the name evoking the rocky chaos and small cliffs that form the summit.^[1]

Geography

Geology

The Peyre-Arse is formed by two trachyandesite flows dated at 7.8 million years ago, which form a "cliff" at the summit (visible in the photo). These flows overlay lahars composed of ash and pumice.^[2]

Access

The easiest ascent route is the GR 4 to the west, which follows the ridge line between Puy Mary and Peyre-Arse. Access is also possible from the southeast (Col de Cabre), but the ascent is significantly more strenuous.^[3]

In culture

The Valley of St-Vincent, Théodore Rousseau, 1830, National Gallery, London.

The painter Théodore Rousseau traveled to Cantal in 1830 and produced numerous studies, including that of the Saint-Vincent-de-Salers valley. The valley is crossed by the Mars River [fr] and is home to many villages. Puy Mary is at the center, with the small peak of Puy de Peyre-Arse to its left, and below the sharp peak to the right is the Col du Redondet.^[4]