The landscape takes its shape from the way we look at it. This means that the Puy Mary landscape project has to present the site in such a way as to captivate on-lookers.

The road developments must respect the geography of the landscape, while at the same time giving special consideration to highlights such as mountain passes, which should create momentary surprise. The road is indeed an invaluable way to discover the countryside (each scene being theatrically presented as you drive along). The quality and diversity of the roads in the territory is exceptional which affords them a genuine historical and picturesque interest value.

They have a width, a steepness, a path, in short a silhouette and a personality that tells of their environment and landscape. They introduce the visitor to their surroundings so that they may be appreciated and admired for their real worth.

The road network with all its attributes (embankments, small structures, low walls, crash barriers, stopping places, etc.) is a genuine observation platform from which to visit the Cantalien volcano, and it conditions visitors’ first impressions of the territory.
Consequently, road developments have to respect the geography of the land, draw attention to any works of art along the way, and reinforce the Grand Site's appeal for tourists by allowing visitors to stop and take in the sights.

This was the Conseil Général du Cantal’s goal when it carried out a “Plan of action coordinating landscape and road improvements” in the framework of Operation Grand Site. Made up of a group of specific landscape recommendations, this plan of action is put into affect for each Grand Site development.