"Les Cévennes: Saint Germain de Calberte area" Parc National des Cévennes by XenoHumph

Parc National des Cévennes Travel Guide: 43 reviews and 130 photos

Les Cévennes schisteuses - Parc National des Cévennes

The National Park of Cévennes

Les Cévennes are a beautiful mountaineous region of France, located on the Southeastern slopes of Massif Central. It is one of the most remote and wild region of France. For those who like to get away from the main stream of tourists, it is ideal!

This region is mainly known to the anglophone public through a book by R. L. Stevenson who went hiking through Cevennes in 1878 and wrote a book about it: 'Travel with a Donkey in the Cevennes'.

Here is a very good website with lots of information on trails, architecture, flora, fauna, traditions...:
http://causses-cevennes.com/

And the website of the Parc itself:
http://www.cevennes-parcnational.fr/

Finally, a practical website for activities around St Germain de Calberte, updated constantly by the locals: http://www.cevennes.com/index.htm

Cévennes and Causses.

Map of Cévennes and Causses

The Cévennes can be divided in 3 broad regions, mainly based on the geology which actually shapes landscape, climate and architecture.
1) The Southwest, Causses and calcareous canyons. Causses are big flat plateaus, cut by deep gorges such as Gorges du Tarn. The traditionnal houses are made of carbonaceous rocks. The climate is quite rough, especially in winter: high winds, snow and cold.
2) Two big granitic mountains, Mont Lozère (North) and Mont Aigoual (South). Houses made of granite, and typical mountain climate.
3) Southeast. metamorphic-rock (schists) Cévennes. Characterized by long crested hills and deep valleys, not many flat parts. The houses look severe because made of dark schist, but the climate is the nicest of all of Cevennes, as it is buffered by Mediterranean winds.

This VT page only describes 3), "les Cévennes schisteuses".

What to do in Cévennes

Fountain in Barre-des-Cévennes

Main activities in Cévennes are hiking, strolling through quaint villages, and a few local museums about history (protestant religion refuge, WW2 german resistance refuge for example) and traditions of the region.

Well, enjoy life in a beautiful surrounding!

Inhabitant of St Germain de Calberte

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful and remote France
Cons:None...
In a nutshell:France's countryside, as remote and authentic as you can find

Last visit to Parc National des Cévennes: Sep 2002
Intro Updated May 14, 2013
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Reviews (18)

Heather on mountain tops near Pompidou, Cévennes - Parc National des Cévennes

Heather covered mountain tops Things to Do (13)

The tree-less mountain crests and plateaux are covered by a low lying bush called bruyères (heather) which makes pretty... more travel advice

Riding in Cévennes - Parc National des Cévennes

Bicycle riding: better be tough... Sports & Outdoors (1)

Riding your bicycle in Cévennes is a great way to discover the region. The roads are small (I mean secondary and not... more travel advice

Menhir de la Platte near St Germain de Calberte - Parc National des Cévennes

Menhirs and other standing stones Things to Do (13)

During the Neolithic (6000-3000 BC), inhabitants of C?vennes erected many stones, called menhir or dolmen (when there is... more travel advice

Cimetière de St Flour de Pompidou - Parc National des Cévennes

Cemeteries Things to Do (13)

Have a look at the cemeteries, they sometimes hide interesting stories. In particular, one village might have two... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
See All Adorable B & B near St Germain de...
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Comments (78)

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GentleSpirit Feb 27, 2013 at 6:42 PM

Thank you so much for such a great collection of tips about this region. I am starting to plan a trip to France and wanted more information when i came across the website for this region. This looks wonderful!
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Nemorino Sep 27, 2012 at 3:37 PM

Informative tips on this beautiful, remote region. I hadn’t realized (or had forgotten) that Protestants took refuge in this area while they were being persecuted or that members of the German Resistance took refuge here during the Nazi dictatorship.
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toonsarah Feb 24, 2011 at 11:56 AM

Very interesting page about a lovely part of France that I knew very little about. I love the old shist roofs and terraced gardens especially. And I always enjoy a pastis - but you're harsh on French lager - Kronenbourg is MUCH better than Bud in my view!
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Yaqui May 31, 2010 at 10:15 AM

Such charming villages and beautiful landscapes. Nice page!
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johanl Oct 1, 2005 at 12:02 PM

j'aime bien les Cevennes. Jétais là l'année passée. Your pages bring back some good memories. Salut. .
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minstrel74 Feb 21, 2005 at 11:54 AM

What a beautiful region! Seems like equal parts refreshing natural surroundings and picturesque villages. I'll surely have to visit the next time I'm in France.
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kenyneo Feb 10, 2005 at 10:08 PM

Beautifully taken pictures and a perfect hideaway from the bustling city ....
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Siddha3th Feb 4, 2005 at 11:13 AM

Thank you so much for dropping by. This part of France seems like a place I could very easily fall in love with :) So much like the little village in Chocolat! Take care... Au Revoir
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Stephen-KarenConn Nov 16, 2004 at 6:13 PM

These mountains have always reminded me of the Smokies in Tennessee and North Carolina. Only we lost our chestnuts to the blight. Very interesting history in the Museum of Protestantism.
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thinking Nov 11, 2004 at 12:24 AM

Husband, Gaston missed showing me this area. Now we have to go back! I love France.