A scientific conference titled The medium mountains during the early Middle Ages. Occupation, development, and exploitation took place on October 1st and 2nd, 2026, in La Diana, Montbrison, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Organized by La DIANA, a research institution focused on archaeology and history, the conference brought together scholars to explore how people lived, worked, and built communities in the medium mountain regions during the early Middle Ages, a period spanning roughly the 5th to the 10th centuries. The event featured a series of presentations on topics ranging from ancient settlements to archaeological discoveries. The conference opened on Thursday with a welcome session and an inaugural speech by Martine Font, president of La DIANA, and Karim Gernigon, a regional archaeology conservator. Pierre-Yves Laffont from the University of Rennes 2 gave a scientific introduction, setting the tone for the discussions. Presentations included a study on Poggio del Palazzo, an ancient settlement in Corsica, and an analysis of the Desmichels parking site in Gap, which examined how people lived near urban areas in the southern Alps. Other talks explored medieval underground spaces in the Massif Central and the history of the Charterhouse of Bonnefoy, a medieval monastery in Ardèche. Further sessions delved into the archaeology of fortifications, such as the Pagan Wall in the Bas-Rhin region, and the variety of defensive structures in the Massif Noir. Researchers also examined how people used natural resources, like trachyte stone in the Puys chain and charcoal in the Hautes Chaumes du Forez. The use of LiDAR technology, which uses laser scanning to create detailed maps of the land, was highlighted in a presentation on the commune of Aydat, showing how it helps uncover hidden historical sites. On Friday, discussions continued with topics such as the development of the middle Verdon region in Provence and the dynamics of human activity in the Sancy massif. Presenters also explored the Northern Vosges and the Velay region, analyzing how communities organized themselves in the early Middle Ages. The conference concluded with closing remarks by Pierre-Yves Laffont, who summarized the key findings and emphasized the importance of continued research in these regions. The scientific committee, composed of experts like Julie Charmoillaux and Christophe Mathévot, ensured the event maintained a rigorous academic focus.