The 13 essential things to do in the National Park of the Cevennes

You spend your holidays in the Cevennes and would like to visit the National Park of the Cevennes? Here are the 13 places not to be missed!

Welcome to the Cevennes, the Camisards country! Here, the landscape is dotted with stone towns and flocks of sheep. The rocks grow on the heights, which open on the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. The streams sculpt the landscape, digging caves in the depths. Visit the National Park of the Cevennes allows you to embrace all the beauty and history of this unique region. Here are the 13 must-sees not to be missed!

1. The abyss of Bramabiau

Dwell in the depths of Camprieu Causse to discover the depths of Bramabiau. It is a one kilometre circuit that awaits you, suitable for the whole family. You will follow the underground river Bonheur for almost an hour.

At the end of the road, it springs outwards by a large hole dug into the cliff, in the form of a frantic waterfall! A must for visiting the National Park of the Cevennes.

2. Florac

Florac is the capital of the Cevennes National Park. This very pretty village is both perched in height and feet in water. All around, the landscape is green and wild. But what makes it a must to visit the National Park of the Cevennes is also the beauty of its stone alleys. Throughout the year, they are inhabited by a sweet animation. Especially on Thursday: the Florac market is one of the most famous in the region!

However, to discover local specialties, you can also pass the door of local producers' shops.

3. L’observatoire du Mont Aigoual

Are you looking for what to do at the Cevennes National Park to take height? Visit the highest point of the Gard, the observatory of Mont Aigoual. Perched at 1,567 meters above sea level, it offers an exceptional panorama. When the sky is clear, the view extends from the Alps to the Pyrenees, then to the Mediterranean Sea!

Built in a 19th century building, the observatory has fortresses. It houses an exhibition about the unique meteorology and climatology of the place. It is also the crossroads of many hiking trails.

4. Gorges du Tarn and Jonte

The Gorges du Tarn and Jonte are ideal destinations for those who are looking for what to do at the Cévenne National Park to discover the nature of the region. The opal limpid water, the stone formations and the forests draw wild landscapes of great beauty.

Why not go to their discovery by choosing a traditional means of transport? Les bateliers de la Malène have been training visitors over the water for over 200 years.

5. The chaos of Nimes-le-vieux

It is a 4.5-kilometre trail that will make you discover the chaos of Nîmes-le-vieux. The geological site has this small thing that excites visitors’ imagination. Dolomite rocks cling to the ground, sometimes rise up, forming a tortured and mysterious ensemble.

Some people have evocative forms. It's up to you to find the arenas, the lion or the pots of Gargantua! Give us an hour and a half.

6. L’aven Armand

Aven Armand is one of the most beautiful caves in France. You'll have to borrow a funicular to get inside. It is buried 100 meters underground, it houses real treasures.

Among the many remarkable geological formations, you will find the largest stalagmite in Europe! It measures 30 meters long and glitters like a diamond. The site is illuminated by Fernand Jacopozzi , the illuminator of the Eiffel Tower . The father of the epileology himself, Édouard-Alfred Martel, called the aven Armand “the dream of the Mille and A Nuits”.

7. Aujac Castle

What to do at the Cevennes National Park to learn more about its medieval history? Visit Aujac Castle, built in the 13th century in the center of the Cèze Valley. It dominates the landscape of the top of a rocky sparrow that peaks at 600 meters above sea level.

You can discover the architectural set of the castle and the castral village during a guided tour. In the summer, it is the setting of permanent animations: museum, medieval clusters, dining area, etc.

8. The hamlet of Villaret

If you are looking for what to do at the National Park of the Cevennes to embrace the authenticity of the region, do not miss the Villaret. This small village is representative of the typical Caussenard hamlets. It is nestled in the Mejean Causse, among the meadows swept by the wind and herds of sheep.

Built entirely in limestone, the village blends perfectly with the landscape. Participatory visits are organized to make visitors discover this small bastion of agropastoralism.

9. The mausoleum of Lanuéjols

Visiting the Cevennes Natural Park is an opportunity to discover the Roman site of Lanuéjols. The tomb dates from the second or third century. He was commissioned by a family, probably Syrian, to pay tribute to his two sons who were victims of leprosy.

Not far, you will find a much older monument. It is a menhir dated around 4,000 before our era. You must not miss this parenthesis out of time during your holidays in the Cevennes! Especially since the pretty village of Lanuéjols also deserves a detour.

10. The summit of Finiels

From the top of its 1,699 meters of altitude, the summit of Finiels is the highest point of Mont Lozère. It is a 9-kilometre loop that will allow you to reach its heights. Three relatively easy walking hours await you. If you have the chance to go in clear time, you can see the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea.

11. The castle of Castanet

If you're looking for what to do at the Cevennes National Park, don't miss Castanet Castle. This very romantic manse of the 16th century is on the waterfront in the town of Pourcharesses. The wooded shore is very much part of the charm of the castle, which sometimes houses art exhibitions.

Some guinguettes were built nearby. It is a quiet and relaxing place, a parenthesis of freshness during your stay.

12. The Cave of the Cocalière

Named the cave with diamonds, the Cocalière promises you a moment suspended in time. It is a fairytale place that will touch children as much as adults. The strange shapes of the rocks and the wavy sparrows of the water are admirably enhanced by lighting.

This cave, which saw the day 35 million years ago, has not finished forming. The action of time and water keeps a grip on it. This is why the Cocalière is very appreciated by the speleologists!

13. The Cévenole Valley Museum

To learn more about the territory, go to the Red House in Saint-Jean-du-Gard. It houses a museum that explores the traditional, economic and social life of the Cevennes. The emphasis is placed on silk thread, regional specialty. The production fueled the OL silk factories, where the famous canuts worked.

Bonus: Stevenson's way

What happened exactly in Robert Louis Stevenson’s mind when he put everything to go to the discovery of the Cevennes? The one who writes years later Island of the Treasury was then a dreaming young man who wanted to start writing.

He tells his story Travel with a donkey in the Cevennes . The journey he then travels is now integrated into the network of Grande Randonnée trails. This is the GR 70, which you can still follow today, Stevenson’s book at the bottom of the bag!

How do I go to the Cevennes National Park?

To visit the Cévenne National Park, you can take the highway A75 and RN 106 .

By bus and train, you may need to make connections to Clermont-Ferrand or Nîmes. Here are the nearest SNCF stations:

• Mende25 kilometres from Florac;
• Alès70 kilometers from Florac;
• Banassac – Canourgue25 kilometres from Sainte-Enimie;
• Millau42 kilometers from Meyrueis.

If you are far from the Cevennes and prefer to fly, the best thing is to go through the Montpellier airport. To find the most interesting offers, you can consult the website of a flight comparison such as Skyscanner . Enter your dates and select for you the best flights!

Finally, once on site, you can borrow the tourist shuttles. Especially since Florac, Sainte-Enimie and Meyrueis.

Where to sleep in the Cevennes National Park?

The offer of accommodation is wide to visit the National Park of the Cevennes. The hikers will find on their route many campsites and holiday cottages. Those who see their stay as a getaway in nature will be able to isolate themselves in a Airbnb or a charming hotel.

Finally, those who want to be able to radiate throughout the park will have a better interest in finding a hotel in Florac , Saint-Enimie or Meyrueis. Anyway, we invite you to consult this Compare hotels to find the ideal accommodation. History of being sure to choose a comfortable and economic option!