Velay

Velay

(vəlā`), region, E central France, in the Massif CentralMassif Central
[Fr.,=central highlands], great mountainous plateau, c.33,000 sq mi (85,470 sq km), S central France, covering almost a sixth of the surface of the country.
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 and partly in Haute-Loire dept. Partly volcanic in origin, the region has many high arid plateaus, some of startling beauty. Le Puy-en-Velay, the chief city and ancient capital (see Puy-en-Velay, LePuy-en-Velay, Le
, city (1990 pop. 23,434), capital of Haute-Loire dept., S central France. Le Puy-en-Velay is the center of an old lace industry, as well as traditional brewing and leather industries. It was an old capital of Velay and an episcopal see from the 6th cent.
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), is set in a fertile basin. Velay is noted for its lace. The region was held in turn by the counts of Toulouse and the English rulers of Aquitaine and was united with the French crown by Louis VIII in the 13th cent.