Massif Central
 The Massif Central (Occitan: Massís Central / Massís Centrau) is an elevated region in south-central France consisting of mountains and plateaux.Subject to volcanism that has subsided in the last 10000 years these central mountains are separated from the Alps by a deep north-south cleft created by the Rhône River and known in French as the sillon rhodanien (literally the furrow of the Rhône).The region was a barrier to communication until the opening of the A75 motorway which not only made north-south travel easier but also opened up the Massif Central itself.The Massif Central is situated in the middle of southern France and it covers 15 percent of the country.