The Tourist office Gorges du Tarn 
welcomes you 
on its official website  
www.gorgesdutarn.net

Grands Causses

LANDSCAPE & CLIMATE

Situated in the north of the plain Languedocien and at the south of the Massif Central, the region of the ‘Causses’ and ‘Gorges’ form a geological entity, relatively high nowadays, but 170 million years ago still beneath the sea-level.  

Hence the sedementary rock of which it’s composed : limestone, is it very sensible to erosion and especially water-erosion.

Over millions of years the Tarn, Jonte and Dourbie have eroded steep valleys which separate from north to south four big highlands : Causse de Sauveterre, Causse Méjean, Causse Noir, and the Larzac.

Water and time have created vertiginous canyons of the Gorges that begin were the open sloping landscape of the highland suddenly stops. The impressive limestone towerformations at the edges of the plateaus are like a fortress and refuge for various flowers and faune among whom vultures.

The Gorges and Causses region benefits and undergoes different climatic influences : oceanic, mediterranien and continental. At the hill-slopes of the highlands 'Causses' forest and rockformations lodges numerous varieties of flowers and birds including several protected species.

The local tourist offices and professionals of the environment are at your disposal to discover this beautiful country.

The gateway to the Gorges du Tarn, situated in the heart of a fertile valley, therefore called "kitchen-garden of the Lozère’.

This dynamic village offers you a wide choice of activities, from hiking, to canoeing down the Gorges, or swimming in the river or in a swimmingpool and many others.
You certainly will apreciate to discover the richness of its patrimony and the natural tresors of its surroundings.

Ispagnac welcomes you during the whole year and offers you a lot of free open air cultural activities. The program is edited every year by the L’ A.P.A.V.I.

This privileged place included in the ‘Garden of the Lozère’ is situated at the left bank of the Tarn.

Pope Urbain V founded here the priory ‘Colégiale’ at 1365, this was an important Marial center untill the french revolution. He also initiated the construction of the beautiful bridge (finished in 1450), which embodies the Postcard of Quezac and the entrance to the Gorges du Tarn.

Beautiful little town constructed in terrasses halfway the mountain- side of were it looks out upon the valley.

In summer there’s an exposition about the local life in the past.

Five indicated foothpaths offer excellent points of vue at the Gorges and the possibility to

BLAJOUX

Surrounded by farm land it is situated in an more open part of the valley of the Gorges.

Two escalade rocks, level 6a and 7a, have been adjusted by the FFE (information at the OTSI).

In front of Blajoux , in ‘la Chadenède’ you can chose one of the beautiful foothpaths : ‘sentier des Moines’ or ‘sentier du Relais’, which both arrive at the cornice of the Causse Méjean.

The rich vineyards of Prades were allready famous in 1280 when as they were addes to the monastery of Sainte-Enimie.

In former days the slopes of the Causse de Sauveterre reached the north-west tower of the castle (XIII/XVth century) were you still can see the point of attach at the chapels wall.

The center of the Gorges du Tarn, mediaevel city, situated in one of the narrowst passages of the canyon, it is worth a long stay.

The village is named after a Princess Mérovingien called Enimie whose rich history and legend dominates the village life.

Take time to walk in the little streets, the OTSI has made a brochure especially to guide you.

Camping sites can be found all along the Gorges du Tarn.

The beautiful little village is partly built in the rock itself just beneath a rocky mountain ridge with the impressionating ruin of a feudal castle, quite known in the region due to a curious legend wich took place at the time of the crusades.

Raymond de Castelbouc, stayed in his castle while all the men of the village had left for the war. He took so very well care of all the women that his story ended soon with death.

LE MAS ST. CHELY

After the discovery of a cave, a dolmen, a little lakelet ('lavogne') or an prehistorical circular village, the familial inn (auberge) or ‘accueil à la ferme’ (receive at a farm) will enchant the gourmand.

Near to Mas St Chely, you can visit the dolomitic ‘chaos de Nîmes le Vieux’, ‘le Pradel’ and it’s mill if the 19^th century, the cave ‘l’Aven Armand’, an original limestone- highland- farm being also the site were the vultures have been re-introduced. For a more perspective vision of the region you can hire a hangglider.

In summer evening-light are accompanied by music.

ST. CHELY DU TARN

Se situe sur la rive gauche du Tarn. Un élégant pont du Xxe siècle permet d’y découvrir son site, son église, ses sources, la chapelle de Cénaret.
Ce cadre grandiose vous invite à y séjourner.

POUGNADOIRES

This village is practically leaned against an enormous rocky wall in which caves are worn out.

Most of the houses are partly integrated in this limestone rock. Just a little bit further you can admire castle ‘de la Caze’ of the XVth century, a luxereous hotel nowadays.

At the cornice of the Causse you can enjoy the panoramic view of Cabrunas.

LA MALENE

Situated in the dale of the valley, it has always been a place of passage. The little castle with little towers was the house of  Montesqieu, whose history is close to La Malène's history having had hard times of which the rock ‘de la Barre’ and the ‘Chapelle des Martyrs’ still testify.

In Malène you can embark for the most beautiful trip by ‘barque’ 

downstreams the Tarn and it also is the starting spot of several discovery foothpaths like the wellknown ‘panorama du Roc des Hourtous’.

It’s hotels, gîtes and camping sites offer you an agreeable residence.

Ste-Enimie + La Malene
0033 (0)4 66 48 53 44

ISPAGNAC
0033 (0) 4 66 44 20 89
otsi-gorgesdutarn@wanadoo.fr