South of Gorges du Tarn and West of Millau and Nant is the fantastic National Park The Cévennes. This unique and protective area offers great mountain areas, unforgettable, lush nature and a strong and original history.
Rocks and water together form an authentic landscape of mountains and valleys, which is an absolute ideal place for outdoor people with a need for trekking and interesting trips by the many out-of-the-way paths.

The landscape of the Cévennes

Geologically, the Cévennes are a very old mountain range. As late as 200 million years ago, the landscape, however, was covered by the ocean which left the layers of limestone which in some places are up to 1,500 metres thick. These are the limestone plateaus ”Causses”, which have been cut through by river ravines, and which create the unique Cévennes.
No matter which way you choose, this lush landscape, which is very distinctive, is beautiful.
There are rivers, rocks, caves, forests and moor in tremendous variance with small, picturesque, Cevenol houses with slate roofs covered by orange lichen and light grey limestone walls with beautifully worn, wooden doors.

Large cities in the Cévennes: Florac

Florac is the headquarters of the national park. In the park office, you can obtain information about trekking routes, etc.

Tourist attractions in the Cévennes

In the Cévennes, there are several beautiful and unforgettable caves. For instance, the pink grotto ”Dargilan”, which is filled with lighting stalagmites. In the grotto ”Aven Armand”, there is a cableway of 200 metres to the caves, and in the cave ”Des Demoiselles”, you will take a ropeway to the inside of the Earth where you can go to a midnight mass among stalactites and stalagmites.

On River Tarn that floats through the town of Florac, you can sail in an open boat on the bottom of the ravines of the river with a view of the surrounding rock formations. Other interesting tours are the one to the famous bamboo forest of Prafrance or to the rock forest of Montpellier-le-Vieux with the Dolomitian sculptures created by nature.
If you want a view of the area, you can go to one of the highest mountains of the Cévennes, Mont Aigoual. From the view point on the top, you can follow an easy path that goes through the wonderful beech forest on the north side.

Sports activities in the Cévennes

Whether you are trekking, climbing, horseback riding, rafting, canoeing or kayaking, cycling, flying an ultra-light plane or staying in your car, the landscape of the Cévennes are a challenge as well as an unforgettable experience. In the early summer, the meadows shine in broom, lilies and orchids. In September, the forest shines in the autumn colours.

Gastronomic characteristics of the Cévennes

The regional products that belong to the Cévennes are mild onions, the small goat cheese, Pélardon, honey, chestnut and wine. The most authentic specialties are chestnut soup, crisp Pélardon goat cheese as well as pie with apples and Pélardon goat cheese.

The climate of the Cévennes

In the Cévennes, there is Mediterranean climate, but the temperature drops when you go into the mountains. At equinox, you will often see heavy raining and drought in the summer.
In the summer, there is always a suitable temperature in the mountains of an average of about 8 degrees in the morning and 20 degrees in the afternoon. In the valleys, though, temperature changes between 13 and 25 degrees in summer.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from Maison de la France. Photographers: Franck Charel.