Spread between the Occitanie region and the Rhône-Alpes region, and located to the south of the Massif Central, the Cévennes National Park extends over three departments, Gard, Lozère and Ardèche, and was classified as a national park in 1970. Located in the mid-mountains, it is a natural, cultural and landscaped territory considered exceptional.
The highly contrasting climate, geology and altitude have favoured human settlement for thousands of years (see page on the Chauvet Cave), as well as extremely diverse vegetation and fauna.
This territory is 72% covered with forests, made up of holm oaks, pubescent oaks, chestnut trees which are currently in difficulty due to global warming, box trees and Scots pines, planted according to the altitudes and the orientation of the slopes,
This mid-mountain region is home to more than 2,400 animal species.A welcoming environment for wildlife, those who walk in these woods will have the pleasure of observing, while walking silently, black woodpeckers, boreal owls, golden eagles and short-toed eagles, which build their nests in the forest. Natural scavengers, European vultures play an essential role in the disappearance of carrion, thus contributing to the maintenance of ecological health and the non-spread of diseases.
Having the pleasure of meeting mammals is much rarer, they live out of sight, the inhabitants of these woods! Wild boars, foxes, European badgers, weasels, stoats and polecats, discreet because they are often nocturnal, but above all frightened by human presence... For example, the fox, which is originally a diurnal canid, has become nocturnal through being hunted!
Flora lovers can admire the Lady's Slipper orchids, the Butcher's Broom, the Marsh Gentian, the Madder and the Sarsaparilla, the Smurfs' favorite herb. This list is only a small glimpse of all the wealth of these regions,
For walks rich in information, photos and curiosities, we recommend the book LA GARRIGUE Éditions Edisud, a true bible of our southern nature.
As for fans of canoeing, rafting, horse riding and hiking with a donkey, on foot, by bike, by mountain bike, for others who prefer climbing, caving and via ferrata, accompanied by state-qualified instructors, you will be in the most beautiful French territory offering all these sporting activities in the sun, with breathtaking landscapes. And you can even come and do cross-country skiing and Nordic skiing on the Causses and in the Cévennes in winter!
So, have a great sporting and family holiday!!!