Located in the Sancy massif between 2,641 and 5,659 ft (805 and 1,725 m) of altitude, the rural town of Besse-et-Sainte-Anastaise has opted for a mountain architecture meeting its climatic constraints. The roofs of its buildings are sloping to let the snow slide and covered with slate, a solid, rustic, and weather-resistant material. The walls mainly consist of lava stones that keep the heat in winter and retain coolness in summer.