Sainte Enimie (one of the 'most beautiful villages of France') is 20 kilometres south-west of Mende in the Massif Central.
Set in the dramatic scenery of the Gorges du Tarn, Sainte-Enimie is in a lovely position surrounded by the cliffs that the river has carved over 1000's of years.
Explore Sainte-Enimie
With its origins dating as far back as the 6th century, the village of Sainte-Enimie we see today falls neatly into two parts: the cafes and shops along the street next to the river, facing across to a ridge on the opposite river bank; and the old town that sprawls up the hill behind.
Walk onto the bridge across the river for a good view across the town and upstream. Between the two parts of Sainte-Enimie (behind the cafes at the bottom of the hill) there is a street lined with gift shops and other small businesses.
Visit Saint-Enimie tourist office as your first port of call for details of the guided trail around the town (the individual buildings also have very interesting and informative notices, but these are in French only - and you will need the map to find them in the first place...).
Within the old town the houses are carved from the local sandstone, and narrow cobbled streets lead you from one fascinating ancient building to the next. Often the paths seem to be part of the rock itself as you climb steps literally hacked into the mountain.
The highlights in the old town (among others) include the houses on the Place au Beurre and the nearby Halle au Blé (wheat hall), the ramparts and the Sainte-Madeleine chapel at the top of the village (there was once a benedictine monastery in the village - the part that now remains is the Chapel of Sainte Madeleine).
On the slopes beyond Sainte-Enimie you can see the terraces that industrious workers have built on the slopes behind the old village in order to grow produce in the inhospitable environment.
France This Way review: Sainte-Enimie is a lovely village to explore, and more extensive than you would guess from the river below, with the belvedere above the town giving a good view across the whole village and valley.
Attractions nearby
In the surrounding countryside, both in the Gorges du Tarn and the surrounding verdant landscapes and bleak mountains, you will find plenty of peaceful walks where you can enjoy the peace of the countryside, and several other villages that are very beautiful such as Castelbouc and Saint-Chely-du-Tarn.
The small town of Florac is not far east of Sainte-Enimie and a visit is recommended.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Lozere guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Photos of Sainte-Enimie
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Hotels in Sainte-Enimie
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Map of Sainte-Enimie and places nearby
Visit near Sainte-Enimie with France This Way reviews
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
Castelbouc
The tiny village of Castelbouc, in the Gorges du Tarn, is very lovely and in an exceptional riverside location
Castelbouc guide
Montbrun
The small but very pretty village of Montbrun is at the eastern end of the Gorges du Tarn
Montbrun guide
Cevennes National Park
The varied landscapes of the Cevennes National Park are famous as the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Travels with a Donkey'!
Cevennes National Park guideGorges 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
Florac
Both the surrounding scenery and the town centre of Florac make it a very enjoyable destination
Florac guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Lozere
Tourist classifications for Sainte-Enimie
Sainte-Enimie is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Sainte-Enimie, Florac, Languedoc-Roussillon, 48210, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.366, longitude 3.4104
Plan your visit to Sainte-Enimie, Lozere
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Gorges du Tarn: grand site of france
- Aven Armand (grotte): site of natural beauty (17 km)
- La Canourgue: village d'etape (17 km)
- Parc à loups du Gévaudan (wolves): zoo or wildlife park (19 km)
- Chaos de Nimes-le-Vieux: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Maison des vautours (vultures): zoo or wildlife park (23 km)
- Marvejols: recommended detour (23 km)
- Mont Lozère: site of natural beauty (27 km)
- Abîme de Bramabiau: site of natural beauty (28 km)
- Mont Aigoual: site of natural beauty (30 km)
- Chaos de Montpellier-le-Vieux: site of natural beauty (31 km)
- Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt: most beautiful village (39 km)
Market days in Sainte-Enimie, France
Regular market(s) are held in Sainte-Enimie each Wednesday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Sainte-Enimie (Francais)