Cevennes National Park

Visit Cevennes National Park, Languedoc-Roussillon

The Cévennes National Park (French: Parc National des Cévennes) is a French national park situated in southern France in the mountainous area of the Cévennes.

The Park falls within three different regions of France: the Auvergne, Languedoc-Roussillon and Rhone-Alps regions, with the largest part in the departments of Lozere and Gard (Languedoc-Roussillon). It includes several mountains and high plateau including Mont Lozère, Mont Aigoual and the Causse Méjean.

The main centre for information if you are visiting the parc is at Florac and this should be your first destination if you are passing a few days in the Cevennes.

The highest point in the region is Mont Lozère at 1699 m, and another notable peak is Mont Aigoual 1567m. These are found to the north-east and south-west of the parc respectively, and together with the ridge between them they represent the mountainous heart of the Cevennes.

The parc has different characteristics in the north-west and the south-east (either side of the mountains) with the countryside more rugged in the northern, Massif Central, part and more Mediterranean in nature towards the south-east.

Although there is a great deal of enjoyment in visiting even if you stay in your car it is above all a region to visit to explore the wilderness, the rugged terrain, and to hike or cycle through the countryside, or pursue other outdoor activities.

Towns,  villages and mountains in Cevennes National Park

The Gorges du Tarn are to the north-east of the Cevennes National Park and one of our favourite places in France. Another particular scenic highlight is the rock formations at the Chaos de Nimes-le-Vieux (follow the road south of Florac towards Meyrueis via the Col du Perjuret).

There are several small villages to discover as you explore the Cevennes, including La-Garde-Guerin, a fortified village and Le Pont-de-Montvert also a very attractive small village.

Towards the north of the Parc you can visit Mende, an attractive town in the Lot Valley, before setting south to explore the interior wilderness around Mont Lozere. You can get within a couple of kilometres of the summit of Mont Lozère by car, via Le Bleymard.

From here you can follow the road south to Florac and Mont Aigoual - the summit of Mont Aigoual can be reached by car, and has views that extend for further than you can imagine on a clear day.

The attractive towns of Vigan and Anduze are also at the southern end of the region.

Exploring on foot

The best way to explore the Cevennes is on foot. If you are an experienced hiker there are several major walking routes - including the GR67 130km "Tour of the Cevennes".

If you are less experienced there are lots of shorter walks that are less demanding - ask in the visitor centre at Florac for details of the most popular routes.

The best known route in the Cevennes National Park is the on that was followed by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 'Travels with a Donkey', a marked trail that forms part of the GR70. If you are following this trail you can even hire a donkey to take along with you.

Although the terrain is less mountainous than the Alps or Pyrenees, as with all hiking in remote areas and mountainous terrain adequate provisions and preparations are required.

See Languedoc-Roussillon and Gard (the region and department for Cevennes National Park) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Cevennes National Park, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Saint-Chely-du-Tarn 13km; Le Pont de Montvert 17km; Mende 17km; Gorges du Tarn 25km; Marvejols 28km; La Garde-Guerin 34km; Severac-le-Chateau 37km; Le Vigan 42km; Aumont Aubrac 44km; Millau 47km; Naves 48km;

Cevennes National Park tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Chaos de Nimes-le-Vieux - site of natural beauty (19km) : Aven Armand (grotte) - site of natural beauty (22km) : Abîme de Bramabiau - site of natural beauty (28km) : Jardin du Tomple - remarkable garden (32km) : Jardin du mas de l'Abri - remarkable garden (35km) : Chaos de Montpellier-le-Vieux - site of natural beauty (37km) : Jardin des Sambucs - remarkable garden (40km) : Cascade du Déroc - site of natural beauty (48km) :

See more places and a map at places near Cevennes National Park