Pont du Tarn

3 points of interest

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  Flora

  The Bougès state forest

  This covers an area of about 3,300 hectares. Reforestation was carried out between 1880 and 1925, at the beginning of the agricultural decline, to fight the erosion caused by over-grazing. Today, the Office National des Forêts manages this forest, primarily with the goal of protecting the different forest species and ecosystems, but also with a view to making it productive. The forest is made up of a number of tree species, including spruce, silver fir, larch and Corsican pine. A varied fauna inhabits the forest (deer, wild boar, birds of prey). A few capercaillies, re-introduced by the Cévennes National Park, live in these wide open spaces. (Julie Hugon)

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  Pastoralism

  The draille du Languedoc

  This draille (path for seaonal livestock migration) was frequented by flocks of sheep during the transhumance and by farmers going to buy or sell animals at Bellecoste Fair, which was held every 16 July and 25 September. The path linked the inhabitants of the plateau to the village of Saint-Maurice-de-Ventalon. (Julie Hugon)

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  Architecture

  The hamlets of L'Aubaret and Troubat

  The houses in the hamlets of L'Aubaret and Troubat seem to have emerged from the ground amidst a mass of granite blocks. The refined architecture of these two handsome farms indicates a certain wealth (mullion windows, carved corbels, etc.). The agricultural equipment on site shows that these farms were self-sufficient (threshing-floor, mill, bread oven, etc.). Near the Pont du Tarn is a large draille that used to cross the river at  “Gap Francès” (meaning “the Franks' ford”, the former limit between the Frankish and Visigoth realms.