Birth of the Sidobre

In french, granit or granite ? Both!

Granite (rock) is the scientific term who refers to the raw material, stone.

Granit (peyro) is a more general term off common language who refers to the material, the rock that is worked.

 

But how did it all happen?

About 300 million years ago, as a result of the natural erosion of the Hercynian mountains and consequently the lower pressure exerted by it on the earth’s crust, the magma rises from the centre of the earth without reaching the surface. This magma remains trapped under a thick layer of shale. Then by cooling, very slowly, it becomes a dense and grainy rock: granite.

During the Tertiary period (-50 to -3 million years ago), erosion intensified. The Sidobre massif is fissured so water infiltrates. The granite then breaks down into a coarse sand. The fissures between the blocks get bigger and the sharp edges of the blocks were rounded off. As it runs off, the water carries with it the sandy material, leaving rounded rocks.

This is the way the Sidobre rocks, some of which have legendary shapes, were born.

To find out more, don’t miss the discovery trail of the Maison du Sidobre with more detailed explanation on the formation of the granite and the emblematic rocks of the Sidobre.
You’ll also discover some information on the flora and fauna of the region.