"The Cévennes" Parc National des Cévennes by JLBG

Parc National des Cévennes Travel Guide: 43 reviews and 127 photos

The Cévennes were and still are the stronghold of the ''Camisards'', local Calvinist Protestants who refused to abjure their faith after the revocation of the ''Edit de Nantes'' by the king of France. The Musée du Désert should be visited, in the Mas Soubeyran. It recalls all that history.
The countryside is very harsh, with nearly impenetrable mountains, numerous hamlets, which allowed the Camisards to resist to the french army. Two trees have contributed to the (relative) wealth of the Cévennes : the mulberry tree (the golden tree) for silk growing and the chestnut tree (the bread tree) for basic feed.

Last visit to Parc National des Cévennes: May 2004
Intro Updated Nov 24, 2004
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Reviews (5)

Brooks Things to Do (5)

In the numerous small valleys, small brooks run. In some places there are old stone bridges. In others, even if now... more travel advice

The bread tree - Parc National des Cévennes

The bread tree Things to Do (5)

In the Autumn, the chestnut tree, the bread tree, becomes the main feature of the landscape. It is also the main crop... more travel advice

Chestnut trees blooming - Parc National des Cévennes

Chestnut trees blooming Things to Do (5)

Of course, chestnut trees are blooming too but they will remain nearly unnoticed by the traveller as the flowers are... more travel advice

Broom flowers - Parc National des Cévennes

Broom flowers Things to Do (5)

In the Cévennes, brooms grow along the roads and paths, between the fields, on the embankments. In May, they blossom and... more travel advice

Comments (20)

ranger49 Feb 2, 2010 at 1:00 PM Report Abuse

In school we read R. L. Stevenson 's Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes in French, and Daudet's Lettres de mon Moulin in English. I'm still confused! but sure those early travel writers fired my love for travels in France!
thetinyrascal Jun 13, 2009 at 5:27 AM Report Abuse

This national park looks fantastic; it reminds me of spring in Canada's Parc national des Hautes-Terres-du-Cap-Breton.
LoriPori Oct 13, 2008 at 5:57 AM Report Abuse

The bread tree looks interesting.
TheWanderingCamel Sep 13, 2008 at 8:46 AM Report Abuse

Any donkeys for hire to take a ramble? Charming, JL. leyle
tiabunna Aug 10, 2008 at 1:14 AM Report Abuse

A marvellous and unspoiled OTBP area - another place to visit one day! Interesting that broom grows there - not sure if it's the same species, but an imported broom bush is a problem weed around here.
fabrice Jan 26, 2007 at 1:47 AM Report Abuse

site très célèbre pour tous les campeurs qui s'adonnent l'été aux joies de la nature
willy_wonka Jan 4, 2007 at 10:03 PM Report Abuse

a small and cute page on small and cute villages of france! there really is too much to discover in your country!
evaanna Dec 12, 2005 at 2:00 AM Report Abuse

The small villages clinging to the mountainsides and the charming stone bridge are certainly worth a visit. And all that nature around! Thanks for the beautiful pictures.
Trekki Sep 21, 2005 at 11:27 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful - this is what I love so much in France - the little brooks and the stone bridges, aged from the weather and plants growing on them :-) Thanks !
matcrazy1 Apr 27, 2005 at 11:26 AM Report Abuse

Great tips, especially that one on the bread tree!