Don’t just go for a walk in the Cévennes National Park: immerse yourself in this protected area by getting to know the local people!

Exploring the unspoilt natural beauty of the Mont Lozère massif, the Causses and the Cévennes is like being gently brought back to the essentials. Authentic villages and breathtaking landscapes… or rather, landscapes that take your breath away! A timeless experience. How about lacing up your trainers and setting off to meet the people who embody the spirit of the region, and to discover their knowledge and expertise? From legends to little tales, let the hike begin!

620 €
Average budget
2
natural regions
7 days
of discovery

A group of walkers at the summit of Finiels
A group of walkers at the summit of Finiels, © lescoflocs

Come summer or winter, head for the Cévennes

The Cévennes National Park was established in 1970. It was designated a ‘Biosphere Reserve’ by UNESCO in 1985. The Causses and the Cévennes have been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 2011. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it? We have the solution to satisfy your thirst for discovery. Les Chemins Francis work every day to offer you a whole new range of landscapes to enjoy.

Wildlife, flora, heritage…

From the peaks of Mont-Lozère to the valley floors: follow the footpaths, walk alongside the streams, and make your way to the headwaters of the Tarn… Marvelling at one of the 2,250 species of flowering plants recorded by the Cévennes National Park is not something everyone gets to experience! What’s that moving over there? A roe deer? A red deer? A fox… A wolf? And all around: granite, schist, limestone… Richness and history in every single stone. The old villages, the feudal castle of Le Tournel, the bell towers of Tourmente, all bearing witness to the harshness of the winters. And at L’Hôpital, step into the mysterious history of the Knights Templar.

Heather in bloom and a butterfly
View of the Château du Tournel

Did you know?

Lozère is often known as the ‘Land of Springs’. And with good reason: all the rivers that flow through the department have their source here! This is particularly true of the Tarn, which you can follow upstream to its source, high up on the slopes of Pont-de-Montvert!

Assiette du restaurant La Remise

After the hard work comes the reward

And when you think of Lozère, you think of fine dining! So don’t miss out on the unique picnics in barns or bread ovens. Then, back at the hotel, over a glass of red wine and a plate of aligot, as you reminisce, this adventure will already be taking its place amongst your fondest memories. You’ll round off the day in style at the hotel’s spa and the Aqua Calida centre in Bagnols-les-Bains. A well-deserved rest!

A shepherd and his sheep on Mont-Lozère
A shepherd and his sheep on Mont-Lozère, © Benoit Colomb – Lozère Tourisme

Hiking… off the beaten track

For over 40 years, the hiking guides at Les Chemins Francis have been leading walkers along the trails of the Lozère region. Thanks to their knowledge and experience, they unlock the mysteries of Mont-Lozère. If you take the plunge, you’ll no doubt meet Benoît, a former technical adviser to Coline Serreau during the filming of the movie *Saint-Jacques-La-Mecque*. Hugues, for his part, has been recognised as an Ambassador for the Causses and Cévennes, a landscape of Mediterranean agropastoralism listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll also cross paths with the people who embody the spirit of the region and know all its stories, big and small. Spending time with shepherds, farmers, a beekeeper, a former schoolteacher, a stonemason, forest rangers and even birdwatchers, there’s no doubt about it – you’ll become a true Lozérien!


Plan your stay

How do I get there?

Les Chemins Francis welcomes you to its hotels in Bagnols-les-Bains, at the foot of Mont-Lozère and on the banks of the River Lot. You can get there by:

  • By car: it takes about 20 minutes’ drive from Mende via the N88 and the D901.
  • By train: Les Chemins Francis offer a shuttle service from Bagnols-Chadenet SNCF station.

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