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Massif Central, France tourist information

The Massif Central is NOT an official French region - rather it is a region in central France that encompasses Limousin and Auvergne (each of which have their own travel guide sections), and parts of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrenees and Rhone-Alpes.

MASSIF CENTRAL IN LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON

Scenic highlights

The southern part of the Massif central includes the National Parc des Cevennes, which falls largely in the northern part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, in the Lozere department).

This region includes:

- the towns and villages of Mende and Marvejols to the north;

- St Enimie (a classified most beautiful village), Florac, La-Garde-Guerin and Pont-de-Montvert in the centre of the region;

- Vigan and Anduze towards the south.

Castelbouc-sur-Tarn, photo copyright

The Gorges du Tarn, the deepest gorges in Europe, are at the north of the region in the Lozère department. Another scenic highlight is found to the west of Clermont l'Herault - the Cirque de Moureze

Also to see in the south-west of the region is the renowned new bridge: Millau Bridge

Millau bridge, photo copyright

MASSIF CENTRAL IN MIDI-PYRENEES

The attractive countryside to the south-west of the Massif central - not mountainous yet never flat, has deep green valleys falling between forested hillsides.

This part of the Massif central falls in the northern Midi-Pyrenees region and includes several particularly attractive classified villages:

CONQUES (Aveyron) - 30 km E of Figeac...Conques
ESTAING - 25 km N of Rodez...Estaing
BELCASTEL - 20 km W of Rodez...Belcastel
SAINTE-EULALIE-D'OLT - 30 km NE of Rodez...Saint Eulalie d'Olt
SAINT-COME-D'OLT - 25 km NE of Rodez...Saint Come d'Olt

The village of La Couvertoirade is north of Lodève in the Aveyron department

The town of Najac is also in the Aveyron, in the southern Massif Central along with nearby Sauveterre-de-Rouergue and also the town of Villefranche de Rouergue.

See also separate section of holiday ideas for Rodez (Aveyron)

MASSIF CENTRAL IN RHONE-ALPES

The Ardeche department of the south-west Rhone-Alpes contains several places of great natural beauty. best among them perhaps is the Gorges de l'Ardeche - a very beautiful gorge, 40 km long. The gorges are usually accessed from Vallon Pont d'Arc at the head of the gorges.

Visit Massif Central - travel information

Places to visit in Massif Central - more information

To see a larger map which shows places to visit in Massif Central in more detail (castles, classified most beautiful villages etc) see Map of Massif Central. (Also includes a full alphabetical list of all places in Massif Central in France This Way.)

See also Massif Central (version Francais)