Camping du Pont de Braye: Explore Chastanier's Wilderness

Overlooking Lake Naussac From the parking lot in the church square, take the road with the church on your right. At the first intersection, turn left, then follow the path marked by a cross. Turn right onto the wide farm track. About 200 meters further on, ignore a path branching off to the left; continue straight ahead. Follow this path for about 2 km; it winds between meadows and groves, then enters the Rouget woods. Reach an intersection. Turn right onto the uphill path and, about 500 meters further on, you will emerge onto a track. Take the track to the right, heading northwest. Ignore the paths on either side of the track. Continue to return to the village of Fontanes via the path on the right.

Enter the Mercoire forest, a land of legend... From the parking area, take the forest track parallel to the N88. After a straight section, the track turns left, leading away from the road. Along the way, you'll find information panels describing the natural treasures of the forest. Take a path through the undergrowth to the right, which provides a short out-and-back detour to the Fairy Rock. Then, rejoin the main track to the right. On either side, you'll see granite boulders, and, to the right of the track, a menhir. You'll emerge onto a perpendicular track. Turn left until you reach a fork in the path, and then left again at the point where the paths diverge. Continue straight ahead on the wide track; the exploration of the forest's natural wonders continues. At the end, you'll return to the starting point.

Overlooking the Allier gorges With your back to the starting sign in the parking lot, take the farm track on the right that descends through the pastures. After about 500 meters, you'll reach a fork in the path. Turn left. The path quickly enters the Côte-Brune woods. Continue downhill, ignoring all paths on either side, and keep going straight ahead (along the way, you'll find a chain and a sign indicating that you are entering private property; this is a courtesy of the landowner. Please observe the rules of good conduct). You'll pass over a railway tunnel and emerge onto a path coming from the right side of the Allier River (you can take this unmarked route to approach the banks of the Allier for about 500 meters). Follow the path to the left, which climbs back up into the Bois de la Maille forest. Descend to the right onto a forest track, which 500 meters further on leads to a track; follow this track. It remains parallel to the Allier River and the railway line, then climbs again. Pass the hamlet of "Les Taillades" and continue along the path. Reach a fork in the road. Take the left-hand path, which leads back to Pomeyrols. Go around the wash house to the right, and at the crossroads in the village, turn right and return to the starting point.

The Roof of the World The starting point is the path to the left of the road coming from Le Cheylard l'Évêque. It enters the forest for approximately 350 meters to reach a fork in the path. Continue straight ahead on the right-hand path to reach a junction with a perpendicular track (junction with the GR7 trail).Turn left onto the uphill track. Approximately 300 meters further on, you will reach another fork; stay on the track and continue straight ahead to the next junction (junction with the GR7 trail).Turn sharply left onto the track. Bear right to reach a crossroads (where the GR7 trail diverges and the GR470 trail joins it, leading to the source and gorges of the Allier River: a 3 km round trip). At the junction, turn right, pass the summit (1503m), and reach the Moure de la Gardille viewpoint. Retrace your steps to the crossroads at point 6 and this time, go straight ahead. Continue straight ahead, ignoring any paths you encounter, to return to the starting point.

Beautiful panoramas that deserve to be admired at length. Cross the village square, keeping to the left of the trailhead sign so that the war memorial and fountain are behind you. Take the right-hand street at the fork and head towards the fountain opposite, against a wall. At the fountain, turn right between the houses, then right again at the next intersection. The route descends; continue straight ahead until you reach a fork. Turn left and follow the path between hedges or stone walls to reach the village of Freissenet. At the intersection, turn left, then immediately right. Turn left again, go behind the buildings, and follow the path as it climbs gently until you reach the road. Turn right, then right again for a few meters, continuing along the D32. Cross the departmental road just before a stone cross. Take the path opposite, which leads towards the houses and cuts across the switchbacks of the D325, and descend to the church square in Saint-Vénérand. Continue along the road and at the next intersection near the farms, take the left-hand path. Enter the beech forest and walk through it. At the end of the walk (there is a risk of flooding in wet weather), you will reach the edge of the hamlet of Ménial. Take the road to the right and, 100 meters further on, turn right again onto a farm track; follow it straight ahead for about 1 km until you reach a sharp right turn. Take the path to the right and then immediately to the left (if there is an electric fence, return to the previous intersection by going straight ahead to the road and then turn right to reach the houses). At the houses, leave the road and take the path to the right. Cross the D32 (caution) at the place called La Pierre Plantée and continue straight ahead until you reach the D 59 road; take it on the left (caution) to return to the starting point.

Beautiful views of the Haute-Loire hills Join the main crossroads in the center of the village of Saint-Symphorien. Turn right, then, a few meters further on, take the gravel path on the left leading to the orientation table. Return to the junction and turn left onto the paved road. Walk alongside the houses of the hamlet of Pissepeau, continuing straight ahead on the road to reach the entrance of the hamlet of La Vialatte. At the crossroads, cross the road, leave the village on your right, and follow the path opposite, continuing straight ahead to the hamlet of Donaldès. Go straight ahead and cross the hamlet. Turn right onto the path that climbs uphill, keeping the various intersections on your left, and continue straight ahead to reach a crossroads. Turn right to reach the hamlet of Beysserettes; cross through it. Take the left-hand path, which continues as a track (pay attention to the trail markers). Take the track that winds its way into the woods. At the next junction, turn right and continue to the following intersection. Turn right again and enter the forest; follow the grassy path that runs along the edge of a field bordered by a low wall and a hedge of trees on its right. You will cross through large woods, continuing straight ahead between barbed wire fences and stone walls. At the edge of the woods, turn right, walk alongside farmland on your left, and pass near the Mas Chambaud farm. At the next junction, take the left-hand path. You will see the steeple of the church of Saint-Symphorien and, further on, the Margeride mountain range (Col de la Baraque des Bouviers, 1,400 m, to the west) on the horizon. Return to the starting point by road.

Hike 240 kilometres of a trail once used by merchants and mule-drivers, Crusaders and pilgrims heading for St Gilles’ tomb or to Le Puy-en-Velay for its Black Madonna. This document presents only the segment of the trail between la Bastide-Puylaurent et l’Affenadou, most of which is on the territory of the Cévennes National Park. You can find the entire itinerary in the official guidebook, Le chemin de Régordane (ref. 7000),published by the Fédération française de randonnée pédestre (FFRandonnée)and sold in the National Park’s centres, online at www.cevennes-parcnational.fr, in bookshops and sports shops, and at boutique.ffrandonnee.fr. All information about the Régordane Way is also available at www.chemin-regordane.fr.

Beyond its historical importance, the site of Le Tournel also bears witness to ancient schist architecture and reveals a vast landscape shaped over time. Some clarifications:• Your starting-point is opposite the car park – you need to cross the road at the tunnel exit• From Marker 3, you can join the mill on the bank of the river Lot via a staircase (there-and-back)• From Marker 9, you can join a belvedere that overlooks the site of Le Tournel and allows you to read the landscape.

Blizzard belltowers keep you company throughout this trail over the large Mont Lozère peatbogs, the meadows of Les Espradels plateau and the “1,000 rivers” with their steep banks. As you leave the hamlet of f Oultet, head towards Lozerette. Fork left onto the path to join up with the track to Lozerette. Take it to the right (do not go through Lozerette). As you cross Les Espadrels plateau, at the crossroads, continue straight ahead. Join up with the track to Serviès (do go to the hamlet of Serviès to see its blizzard belltower, then retrace your steps) and turn right towards les Sagnes. Keep going straight, across the plateau, and in Les Sagnes walk to the lower hamlet to see its blizzard belltower before doubling back. As you enter the hamlet, take the track on the left towards Croix de Peyrou. 150 m after the cross, continue straight ahead, then take the second path on the right, towards Auriac. Go through Auriac and then around the summit of Peyrou to the fork below La Felgère, at the menhir (standing stone). Take the right-hand path to go back downhill to Oultet.

Once used for grazing livestock, the slopes of Loubaresse have gradually turned into broom-covered heathland. The municipality is doing everything it can to keep the areas clear by encouraging pastoralism and helping a farmer to settle there.   P - () From the "Loubaresse départ" post near the church, join the upper road (), cross over and climb the transhumance sheep track to the windy Pratarabiat pass    Pratarabiat – Follow Borne 5,9 km. Take the track on the left along the ridge.   Bravefont - Follow Loubaresse 1,4 km. Leave the track to descend steeply between two fences on the left (). Croix de Saint-Jean - Follow Loubaresse 2,2 km. On the right, cross the hairpin-bend road. Continue through the meadows. To reach the village, leave the track for vehicles to the Loubaresse’s only hamlet (Lichechaude) and take the path to the Lichechaude stream. Cross the stream and go up to join the GR () below the farm-restaurant. Le Dervet - Follow Loubaresse 0,7 km. Go left to return to Place de Loubaresse.

Our 180m² group chalet in the heart of the Ardèche mountain has 46 beds in 10 4-bed dorms and 3 3-bed dorms. Half-board available at the foot of the slopes and hiking trails.

Welcome to LA FAGE gîte, at heart of village, 1,000m up between the Ardèche mountain and Cévenne ardéchoise. 9 little bedrooms (2 to 6 beds) ? 3 with shared facilities and 6 with private facilities. Kitchen, living room available. Cooking based on local produce. Many outdoor activities, sports, natural and cultural heritage all around. Piano in living room. Weekend lets, weekly lets for groups, families, nature classes. Beginner's orienteering and heritage discovery can form part of walks/hikes. Activity organiser on-site. 1 bedroom with disabled access.

With comfortable rooms and good food guaranteed, you can just sit back and enjoy a really relaxing holiday.

In a wild and unspoiled valley not far from Tauriers, this fragrant rose garden contains more than 700 different old varieties of roses. It has been classified as a remarquable garden. GPS : [44.54978, 4.25655] Discover the collection of hundreds of old rose varieties in its charming setting within the preserved countryside. It is only 15 minutes from Largentière and is open to visitors for one month in spring. In the garden, you can enjoy a cup of tea or local juice in the tea house. Berty Rose Garden is also a nursery rose garden where you can purchase your favorite rose!

Located in a medieval house, panoramic terrace, traditional local home-cooked food. The Bastide de Sanilhac welcomes you in a charming and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy during weddings, seminars, holidays or week-ends.

To stay at the Seigneurie de Naves, is to find a place of peace and charm. You are guaranteed the time to step back, relax and enjoy a different pace of life away from everyday stresses. Located on a rocky spur, Naves is a quiet medieval village that is officially designated as a “Village de Caractère”. The lively town of Les Vans is located in the valley 2 km away – or just over 1 km if hiking! Located on a rocky spur, Naves is a quiet medieval village that is officially designated as a “Village de Caractère”. The lively town of Les Vans is located in the valley 2 km away – or just over 1 km if hiking. Naves has maintained its atmosphere into the 21st century thanks to the sympathetic restoration of the properties by the residents. It is a collection narrow cobbled streets that lead to village square with an 11th century church and views across the typical terrain of the southern Ardèche. Situated between two lanes, the house can be accessed by the lower road for the Blanche de Paysac and the Pitcholine rooms. From the upper road, via a lovely vaulted ceiling, you can access the Rougette and the Frantoio rooms. A particular feature is a beautiful stone spiral staircase that serves the family suite and the dining room. In the central part of the house is the Library lounge and Wellness area. At this level, under a high canopy, there is a fountain and access to all parts of the house. Then cross a small stone bridge that spans the lane, to gain access to the pool and gardens. As soon as you cross this little bridge, you will fall under the charm of this green haven of peace. You will first encounter a small covered seating area where you can to sit quietly enjoy a drink, read or just contemplate life – regardless of the vagaries of the weather. Next is a lovely arbour offering protection from the sun when the shade of the centuries-old mulberry trees is insufficient. Breakfast and dinner served here. A little further on there is the boulodrome where you can test your skills at pétanque. The best teams can compete to win an appetizer on the House! A pool of 12 x 5 m will allow you to do a few laps, relax and freshen up after your muscles have been stretched by one or the other sports activities offered in the surrounding area. For a quieter time, you can wander through the rest of the garden where over 500 carefully chosen plants delight the senses. Or merely sit a while under an olive tree and enjoy the views across the roofs of the old village to the distant horizons.

The Ranchisses'inn is a friendly restaurant by the river in a beautiful stonehouse. Homemade Ardèche specialties, firewood pizzas and grill cooking... Our cuisine is made with fresh local products.

In a friendly restaurant or on a nice terrace, Mariline and Sebastien Jacquemin welcome you to discover a tasty and authentic cuisine made with local products. Seasonal cuisine, entirely home-made and simmered with passion.

Are you looking for the perfect place for your holiday? Your search is over: La Nouzarède campsite is made for you! Soak up the peaceful atmosphere, natural setting and family feel.

Our eatery in the heart of a Cévennes property in Ardèche Mountains Regional Park overlooks the medieval village of Largentière. We'd love to see you in our old farmhouse oozing personality.

The Abbey of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, where Trappist Cistercian monks have lived since 1850, is a place of peace, prayer and fraternity which is cut off from the world but open to all.

Marker 10From this high point (above which short-toed snake eagles are often seen), the site of Le Tournel on the rocky spur dominating the Lot Valley, showcases all its strategic power. The surrounding landscape was slowly shaped by human activity, the dispersed settlements favouring the human hold over nature. Mont Lozère’s denuded rounded tops are maintained by the flocks of transhumant sheep that graze here. Crops take up the fertile dips near villages, where farming can be mechanised.

Scots Pines, which have replaced oaks on limestone soils and beech on siliceous soils, cover vast areas. With birches, they are the first to invade abandoned farm land. As a result of agricultural decline, vast heaths of broom – which can live on poor soils – have formed. They are periodically subjected to controlled burns by farmers. This landscape evolves over time, and according to natural and human factors.

Marker 9A few plant species are well-represented near the ruins, such as hoary plantain and mugwort. Among the plants that colonise the almost soil-less stone walls or rock faces are stonecrops (several species, notable for their succulent leaves); saxifrages (three species), which brighten up the rocky outcrops in spring with their white flowers; and navelwort. Trailing snapdragon with its yellow flowers streaked in pink exists almost exclusively in the Cévennes. On top of the tower wall, you will notice two rows of schist stones with rounded lower edges, an exceptional architectural detail. They probably date from the 12th century.

Marker 8The keep and redoubt are defensive elements. Through their massive appearance and their position, they asserted the lords' prestige and power. In the 13th century, the keep was redesigned to have a narrow winding entrance passage and a curtain wall on its west side. The first two floors were each occupied by a rectangular room with a vaulted ceiling and arrow-slit openings. Access from one level to the next was through a  manhole. On the second floor, a wall still carries the imprint of the fireplace that once took up the whole back wall. A  turret built onto the keep contained a spiral staircase that gave access to the third floor.

This tower was probably necessary to fortify the castle during the Hundred Years' War. Its extremely thick walls (1.7 m as compared to 80 cm for the residence) reinforce a corner of the castle wall and served as the last line of defence. They follow the contours of the vertical cliffs. The tower still shows the vestiges of three corbels just above the access door, which must once have supported a bretèche (small defensive balcony). Inside, the floors separated by vaulted ceilings are accessible through manholes.

Marker 6Le Tournel is situated in a landscape that is covered by a network of traffic axes: two drailles (drovers' roads) and the Via Soteirana linking Villefort with Mende. Because of its geographical position, the Château du Tournel was a dominant feature and played a prominent role in monitoring the territory, its people and their movements. The Via Soteirana, a former Royal road, seems to have been crucial for mining operations in the surrounding area. It was also a non-negligible source of income for the castles built at intervals along it, because of the tolls imposed on every user.

Marker 2In the 11th century, the King's authority was declining. Secular land-owning lords built fortresses to protect their assets and the people for whom they were responsible. The castrum or castle of Le Tournel was built at an altitude of 1,080 m, surrounded by a loop in the river Lot that is impossible to skirt. It occupies a rocky spur surrounded by sheer drops on all sides except the north. The vertical rock faces of the east and west sides make accessing the castle extremely dangerous. The site itself was the mainstay of the castle's defences, and enabled it to dominate and survey the Lot valley.

The first village was built at the foot of the castle, on the narrow strip of the ridge between the castle and the block of rock that closes off the spur to the south. Thus protected by its inaccessibility, the village was never surrounded by an internal rampart. Its buildings can still be made out in some places, where the rock is shaped into anchorage points, and consisted of small houses built in parallel to the rock faces so as integrate  them in the construction. This original accommodation was abandoned in the 13th century, badly served by its inacccessibility and the strong winds buffeting it. The houses were levelled off, their walls becoming terrace walls.   

The restaurant is located in the privileged setting of the hamlet of Gua (road D203) on the banks of the river La Beaume. We propose a traditional home-made cooking with a regularly renewed menu and, out of meal times, a snack menu.

Ardèche terroir cuisine in a panoramic dining room with a view of the Alps and Ventoux Mount. This familial restaurant is popular for its fine cuisine and the chef, Claude Belin, cares about the use of fresh products only.

Located in a medieval house, panoramic terrace, traditional local home-cooked food. The Bastide de Sanilhac welcomes you in a charming and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy during weddings, seminars, holidays or week-ends.

Treat your tastebuds! Traditional hearty dishes. All our dishes are homemade including the jams we serve for breakfast. You will love the chef's exquisite Ardèche cuisine made from garden and fresh produce.

The Ranchisses'inn is a friendly restaurant by the river in a beautiful stonehouse. Homemade Ardèche specialties, firewood pizzas and grill cooking... Our cuisine is made with fresh local products.

In a friendly restaurant or on a nice terrace, Mariline and Sebastien Jacquemin welcome you to discover a tasty and authentic cuisine made with local products. Seasonal cuisine, entirely home-made and simmered with passion.

Located in the heart of the village of Les Vans in southern Ardèche, the Café de la Bourse is a bar - restaurant - PMU. On-site bar-restaurant and PMU. We only serve home-cooked food at lunchtime. A unique daily menu based on fish or meat will be served.

Gourmet home cooking, an unusual setting, local produce and a musical atmosphere... This is the clever blend of this henhouse restaurant... (May contain traces of ORGANIC food)... Jazz concerts on Sundays in summer!

Dare to experience an explosion of flavors at our Trattoria. The art of Italian cuisine condensed in our fresh homemade pasta, gnocchi, pizzas, lasagne... Home-made food straight from Italy and a few words of Italian to welcome you as if you were there... Let us surprise you!

Traditional home cooking, fresh local produce. Wines from Ardèche and elsewhere, cocktails. Shaded terrace, 2 air-conditioned rooms in the heart of the historic center.

The Abbey of Notre Dame des Neiges, where Trappist Cistercian monks have lived since 1850, is a place of peace, prayer and fraternity which is cut off from the world but open to all. You can stay alone, with family... aand stay for a night or more.

Hotel in the midst of pine forests near the Espezonnette River, fishing. Private car park. Outdoor heated pool. Logis de France restaurant approved: 2 "saucepans".

This campsite in the heart of the Ardèche is surrounded by stunning mountains by the Vernazon River near the village and shops. Ideal for nature lovers.

Hôtel Au Parfum des Bois is a family hotel and restaurant where you can enjoy peace and quiet in the Ardèche mountain. Home cooking. We can't wait to meet you!

Our 180m² group chalet in the heart of the Ardèche mountain has 46 beds in 10 4-bed dorms and 3 3-bed dorms. Half-board available at the foot of the slopes and hiking trails.

Welcome to LA FAGE gîte, at heart of village, 1,000m up between the Ardèche mountain and Cévenne ardéchoise. 9 little bedrooms (2 to 6 beds) ? 3 with shared facilities and 6 with private facilities. Kitchen, living room available. Cooking based on local produce. Many outdoor activities, sports, natural and cultural heritage all around. Piano in living room. Weekend lets, weekly lets for groups, families, nature classes. Beginner's orienteering and heritage discovery can form part of walks/hikes. Activity organiser on-site. 1 bedroom with disabled access.

This villa can sleep up to 18 in groups or families throughout the year in 5 rooms and a dorm each with a sink, shower and toilet. Nearby: lots to do at lakes, rivers and forests. For the pleasure of your eyes... The lodge is located at the foot of the Gerbier de Jonc mount, in the small village of Usclades. Nearby, you can also visit the Bourlatier farm, the Auberge de Peyrebeille, the Écomusée de Bigorre-Les-Maziaux as well as picturesque villages and thatched roofs. ...and for the pleasure of your taste buds... In the evening, the lodge offers traditional cooking and typical dishes of the area made with local products: Fin Gras du Mézenc beef, maoche, charcuterie meat, trouts, mushroom omelets, lentils, etc. Deserts featuring blueberries, raspberries and chestnuts are also on the menu!

With comfortable rooms and good food guaranteed, you can just sit back and enjoy a really relaxing holiday.

Bois Simonet campsite offers an exceptional panoramic site in the heart of family nature, under the pines, at the gates "Monts d'Ardèche" and 20 km from the listed site of Vallon Pont d'Arc and the Cave of Pont d'Arc (reproduction Grotte Chauvet). Come and discover this little corner of paradise with 45 accommodations The site is composed of 45 accommodations mainly chalets for 4 to 8 people, 7 lodges, 18 camping sites for tents and caravans, 2 heated pools, 3 playgrounds for children, a city stadium. The river "Beaume" and its crystal clear waters is 10 minutes walk from the campsite. Quiet, friendly and family village, not flooded. On site services in season (+ W.E. in May and June): Bar, restaurant, takeaway, pizza, supermarket, games, petanque, table football, ... Breads and pastries on the spot - Press in July and August. Activities in season: ping pong and foosball tournaments, petanque competitions, canoeing, donkey rides in the campsite, kids club, teen club, foam party and 5 evening entertainment a week ... But beware, everything stops at 23 h to respect the rest of each. Accommodation: High-end chalets (telephone, Wifi, air conditioning, dishwasher and television depending on model).

The holiday cottages, “Le Domaine de la Jeanne” is located on an old agricultural property of 2 ha, surrounded by olive-tree plantations and old vines. The swimming-pool is heated at 25 degrees minimum from May until the end of September which guarantee you a lovely pre and post summer season. We propose lodgings out of stone and wooden of contemporary aspect with a total capacity of 55 peoples. The cottages or gîtes are classified 3 stars, are of great comfort with one to three bedrooms which is very adaptable for couples, families, hiking or cycling clubs. Sandrine and Xavier as former restaurant owner also offer a full and half board service for groups (15 to 55 pers) and an host table during summer evenings with authentic fine meals. Located in full nature, facing southward with the Cevennes National Park nearby, La Jeanne is ideally located to enjoy outdoor activities : river, canoe, climbing, cannyoning, fishing, baths, horse riding, and obviously hiking..... We are open from early April until mid November, For a real discovery of Southern Ardèche come and visit us!