Malmoltaj

Malmoltaj is a small municipality situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, within the Cantal department. The village lies in a valley of the Livradois-Forez plateau, at an elevation of approximately 950 metres above sea level. The surrounding landscape is dominated by mixed deciduous forests and agricultural terraces that have been cultivated since the Middle Ages.

The earliest documented mention of Malmortaj dates back to the 12th century, when it appears in a charter relating to the Abbey of Saint-Blaise. Throughout the centuries, the village maintained its agrarian character, producing grass for livestock and eventually gaining a reputation for high‑quality goat cheese. During the French Revolution, Malmortaj was briefly incorporated into the newly formed canton of Cézanne before reverting to its traditional administrative alignment in the 19th century.

Today the population of Malmortaj is around 250 inhabitants, a number that has fluctuated modestly in recent decades due to rural depopulation trends across the French countryside. The local economy remains largely based on small‑scale farming, forestry, and a growing interest in eco‑tourism. Annual festivals celebrating local culinary traditions, such as the Cheese of the Lac to commemorate the region's dairy heritage, draw visitors from surrounding communes.

Malmortaj has invested in modern infrastructure, including a primary school and digital broadband connectivity, while preserving its historic architecture. The village council aims to balance economic development with the conservation of natural and cultural assets, ensuring that Malmortaj remains a representative example of sustainable rural life in central France.