Truc de la Garde

The Truc de la Garde is a summit in the Massif Central belonging to the Margeride mountains, bordering the French departments of Lozère and Haute-Loire.

Toponymy

Truc refers to a "large stone or rock" in Occitan. It is also a geological feature defining a hillock or a height covered with moorland.

Geography

Location

The Truc de la Garde is situated on a ridge line. It is the highest point in the municipalities of Malzieu-Forain, Chanaleilles, and Grèzes.
At its summit crowned with granite blocks, a panorama allows for the observation of the Mézenc massif, the Devès, Mont Lozère, and the Mounts of Cantal.

Hydrography

Three springs are located on the mountain: those of Pontajou, Seuge, and Gardelle.

Environmental protection

The site of the "Margeride dwarf birch stations" is the subject of a biotope protection order, covering an area of 56.7 hectares. Moreover, the Truc de la Garde is included in the Natura 2000 site "Summits and eastern slopes of Margeride".