Plateau de Millevaches

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The Plateau de Millevaches is an upland area in the Limousin région of France. It covers approximately 3,500 km² and crosses the boundaries of three French départements: the Corrèze, the Creuse and the Haute-Vienne.

The majority of the area is at an altitude of between 600m and 1000m.

In addition to the many square kilometres of coniferous forest, there is a distinctive type of bog or marsh (tourbières in French) which gives rise to numerous rivers such as the Vienne. Many of these rivers are often filled with wild brown trout.

There are very few towns or villages of any size on the Plateau de Millevaches, but the towns of Meymac, Felletin and Eymoutiers are situated at the edges of the Plateau.

Name

The Plateau de Millevaches reportedly takes its name from the many lakes in the area. (Mille being French for "one thousand" and Vache being a possibly local name for "lake", although it means "cow" in modern French).

Although not strictly a plateau, depending upon which direction one approaches the area from, the Plateau de Millevaches forms an important kind of step up (or a step down) in the Massif Central.

External links

• Meymac and the Mont Bessou, its observation tower, photos of the panorama and the surroundings

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Last updated on Tuesday January 29, 2008 at 16:58:33 PST (GMT -0800)
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