Massive under the so-called mountain law in Nièvre (58) and neighbouring departments.

The notion of massif is to be distinguished from the concept of mountain. According to the texts in force, in France, a mountain area comprises municipalities or parts of municipalities characterised by: — the existence, because of the altitude (minimum 700 m, except for the Vosges at 600 m, and the Mediterranean mountains at 800 m), of very difficult climatic conditions resulting in a period of vegetation significantly shortened; — the presence, at a lower altitude, in most of the territory (at least 80 %) of steep slopes (above 20 %), such that mechanisation is not possible or requires the use of very expensive equipment; — the combination of these two factors. On several occasions, the delimitation of mountain areas has been enriched and completed. Today, it distinguishes several geographical units according to the intensity of their mountain character (from the foothill to the high mountain). The massif includes not only mountain areas but also areas immediately adjacent to them: foothills or even plains if the latter ensure the continuity of the massif. This enlargement takes account of interactions and exchanges between highland areas and the plains, which makes it possible to set up more relevant spatial planning projects.The concept of a massive area allows to have an administrative entity competent to carry out mountain policy.