The Camisards (by mountain-bike)

9 points of interest

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  Fauna

  Hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita)

  This beetle is a declining, endangered and protected species. It is considered a reliable bio-indicator of environmental quality. An essential link in the proper functioning of forest environments, it likes mature deciduous forests and dead wood. The specific management of the strict nature reserve of Le Marquairès favours its development. Here, forestry is forbidden, and the forest is left to evolve naturally.

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  History

  1938: the forestry road

  You are on the “road of the unemployed”. From 1936 to 1939, the crisis that shook the country led the government to put in place social programmes giving the jobless employment on major works: forest planning, thinning out tree stands, opening up new roads, etc. This road was created using shovels, picks and axes by 20 or so unemployed men and some locals. The “unemployment card” of the day gave the unemployed the right to a bonus when they worked on major works. A refectory was set up in the forester’s house at Le Marquairès, then at Les Cabanes (at the other end of the road); locals brought their own food.

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  Water

  The Tarnon

  The Tarnon is 38.9 km long and has its spring on the Aigoual massif (1,565 m) in the municipality of Bassurels. After its confluence with the Mimente, it flows into the Tarn downstream of Florac. It separates the Causse Méjean plateau from the Cévennes. Upstream of Rousses, the Trépalous flows into the Tarnon. This small river has carved out the Tapoul Gorge, which is famous for canyoning. The Tarnon is a Cévenol river: very abrupt and intense floods can occur during extreme weather events. 

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  Agriculture

  The Margeride draille (drovers’ road)

  The draille follows the ridge and crosses the Can de l'Hospitalet plateau. This transhumant trail enables the sheep flocks of the plains (of the southern Cévennes and the Crau) to move up to northern Gévaudan (Aubrac, Margeride, Mont Lozère). This draille is only one branch of a larger network along which transhumant livestock still travel. 

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  Water

  Mont Aigoual

  A beautiful view onto Mont Aigoual (1,567 m) –  a mountain of winds, fog, snow and rain. Banks of clouds coming from the Mediterranean rub against its slopes and can cause violent precipitation (also called Cévenol episodes). This temperamental mountain is home to the last mountain weather-station in France.

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  Flora

  Ash trees

  Ash trees, like the ones that border the path, like cool and damp environments. They were planted alongside paths by locals because ash branches, cut towards the end of summer, provided additional fodder for livestock.

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  Geology

  Schist or dolomite

  Schist areas form a rock base on which layers of sediment - limestone and dolomite - have collected. These are covered in chestnut trees and heaths of heather, broom and ferns unless they have been reforested. Underneath this vegetation, the transition between the two bedrocks is not always visible, but it is indicated by the human settlements at mid-slope. Rainwater that has filtered through the rocks emerges again where it hits the impermeable schist, creating springs.

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  Architecture

  Vébron

  A village of 200 inhabitants, Vébron extends from the Tarnon valley to the Causse Méjean. It has a school, temple (Protestant church) and shops. Every summer, it hosts the International Video Film Festival, whose patron until 2014 was  French veteran actress] Bernadette Lafont. The square at the heart of the village is a lovely spot for a little rest.

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  History

  The Camisards

  The Tarnon valley was a significant area during the Camisard War. It sheltered the 3rd Camisard Army. Many clandestine gatherings were held here in the gloomy forests or in a cave underneath the Can de l'Hospitalet (known as Baume dolente).