The town of Marvejols is found in the Lozère department, of northern Languedoc-Roussillon, near Mende in the Massif Central. A quiet unassuming town, Marvejols well deserves a visit if you are in the region.
Explore Marvejols
Marvejols is an attractive medieval town which had an eventful and dramatic history during the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion, so much of the town we see today was constructed around 1601, after the original town was burned and most of the population massacred during the Wars of Religion.
The three stone entrances to the town remain as witness to these events and are the major historic monuments in Marvejols. They are the Porte Sobeyran to the north, the Porte Theron to the east and the Porte de Chanelles to the south of the historic city - all three are substantial with large round towers standing each side of the entrance.
In the historic town centre there are several interesting features and buildings to discover and explore - and plenty of information signs to tell you what you are looking at.
Most of the historic centre of Marvejols is pedestrianised and includes the 13th century Collegiale Church of Notre-Dame de la Carce (to the west) and some attractive houses including the Hotel de Chatillon on Place Daurade and the Hotel de Prades on the Rue de la Laine.
The tourist office of Marvejols (next to the Porte de Soubeyran) have laid out a 'Henry IV' tour of the town that passes the important monuments, and in the tourist office you will find a small archaeology museum with artefacts from the region.
Marvejols is also well known for a more recent historic event: in the 18th century the so-called 'Beast of Gevaudan' slaughtered almost 100 people in the region surrounding the town, mostly children. Believed at the time to be the work of a wolf, it was several years before the killing finally stopped.
There is a statue commemorating the event in the town, while the second statue in the centre of Marvejols is of Henry IV and proudly states 'executed in Marvejols, 1954'. It was the statue that was executed, not the King!
The weekly market in Marvejols is held on Saturday mornings.
Attractions nearby
A few kilometres from the town you can visit the wildlife park, 'Les Loups de Gevaudan' (The wolves of Gevaudan), where wolves can be seen living in semi-liberty.
The other major attractions close to Marvejols include the scenic countryside of the Cevennes National Park, with the Gorges du Tarn among the most popular with visitors.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Lozere guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Arrange a visit to Marvejols
Hotels in Marvejols
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Map of Marvejols and places nearby
Visit near Marvejols with France This Way reviews
Mende
On the northern edge of the Cevennes National Park, Mende itself has a cathedral and other interesting sites to visit
Mende guide
Aumont Aubrac
Not perhaps a major destination but Aumont-Aubrac is pleasant to explore when you are nearby
Aumont Aubrac guide
Sainte-Enimie
Sainte-Enimie is the most extensive, and perhaps the most interesting, of the pretty villages along the Gorges du Tarn
Sainte-Enimie guide
Les loups du Gevaudan
The Loups de Gevaudan park is a chance to see wolves living in semi-liberty in France
Les loups du Gevaudan guide
Saint-Chely-du-Tarn
Saint-Chely-du-Tarn is in an idyllic spot within the western part of the Gorges du Tarn
Saint-Chely-du-Tarn guide
Gorges du Tarn
The cliffs and deep wooded slopes of the Gorges du Tarn make it one of the most lovely places in France to explore
Gorges du Tarn guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Lozere
Tourist classifications for Marvejols
Marvejols is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)
Address: Marvejols, Mende, Languedoc-Roussillon, 48100, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.554, longitude 3.2908
Plan your visit to Marvejols, Lozere
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- La Canourgue: village d'etape (15 km)
- Aumont-Aubrac: village d'etape (19 km)
- Cascade du Déroc: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Sainte-Enimie: most beautiful village (23 km)
- Parc à loups du Gévaudan (wolves): zoo or wildlife park (24 km)
- Gorges du Tarn: grand site of france (24 km)
- Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt: most beautiful village (29 km)
- St Chely d'Aubrac pont des pèlerins (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (30 km)
- Réserve de bisons d'Europe de Sainte-Eulalie: zoo or wildlife park (31 km)
- Aven Armand (grotte): site of natural beauty (37 km)
- Saint-Come-d'Olt: most beautiful village (38 km)
- Mont Lozère: site of natural beauty (38 km)
Market days in Marvejols, France
Regular market(s) are held in Marvejols each Tuesday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Marvejols (Francais)