The Tarn gorge from Florac to Le Rozier (GR®736)
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The Tarn gorge from Florac to Le Rozier (GR®736)
Florac Trois Rivières

The Tarn gorge from Florac to Le Rozier (GR®736)

Architecture and village
Fauna and flora
Water and geology
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Discover the canyon at your own pace. Some sections can also be done by canoe if you would like to rest your feet and appreciate the gorge from the river.
The Tarn gorge – there is more to discover! The path, on the left bank of the Tarn, is an invitation to get out of your vehicle and head off on foot along the river to explore the canyon’s villages and scenery at leisure. 

15 points of interest

  • History

    The Esplanade

    The covered passage of the sub-prefecture is one of several in Florac, running beneath the houses. You have just gone through the former town wall and now find yourself inside the medieval town. Besides the beautiful ancient plane trees (the oldest are 200 years old), you can see, at one end, the statue of Léon Boyer, who built the Garabit viaduct with Gustave Eiffel and died in 1883 in Panama, where he was working on the construction of the Canal; and at the other end, the temple (Protestant church) and the War Memorial.

  • History

    The Planet neighbourhood

    In the 16th and17th centuries, a large number of religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants affected the Cévennes, bringing with them much destruction. After the Peace of Alais was signed by Richelieu and the Duke of Rohan in June 1629, Protestants retained the right to practise their religion, but their fortifications were razed. This included Florac's town walls. The house bearing this information panel is one of the town's oldest: its tower used to watch over Thérond Gate. It also stands at the crossroads of the former road linking Nîmes with Saint-Flour and the former road from Florac to Séverac via the Causse plateau.

  • Geology

    The iron-rich water of Salce

    After a small detour from the hamlet of
    Salièges to the river Tarn, you will come across a spring of ferruginous water. For a long time, the ability to prevent (or cure) alcoholism was attributed to this water rich in Fe2+ ions, and made famous by a sketch by the stand-up comedian Bourvil. It supposedly supplies the iron that would normally come from regularly drinking alcohol. A small construction indicates the Salce spring (the path from Salièges is way-marked), as does the red tinting from iron oxide, which you find in many contact zones between schist and limestone.  

  • Architecture

    Ispagnac church

    St-Peter’s Church in Ispagnac is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Gévaudan. Built in the 12th century, it is dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The understated facade of this bulky-looking building has a simple gate with three semi-circular arches topped by a rose window that lets light into the nave. Once inside, you discover a simple and airy architecture. A sound-and-light show helps you to explore. To get the fullest impression of the architecture, you need to leave the building and walk around it to see the apse and its décor.
  • Agriculture

    The vintners of Ispagnac

    In 2003, Sylvain Gachet, from Savoy, reintroduced grapevines to Ispagnac and Florac, planting six hectares of terraced land. On soils of clay/limestone and schist, he attempted to breathe new life into the Domaine de Gabalie. In 2006, Elisabeth Boyé and Bertrand Servières set up as vintners in the Tarn gorge, also under the stimulus package bringing vineyards back to the valley. They cleared the land of the bartas (brambles) which had invaded almost all the parcels, and rebuilt the dry-stone walls before planting almond trees, vine peaches and five hectares of grapevines: the Domaine des Cabridelles was born. The winemakers share a cooperative cellar in Ispagnac, which is also a sales outlet. Why not make a short stop to try the wines (the cellar is next to the car park by the state school (école publique).
  • Architecture

    Quézac Bridge

    This bridge crossing the river Tarn gives access to the village of Quézac, located on the left bank. Around 1350, Pope Urban V decided to fund its construction to facilitate pilgrims' access to the collegiate church of Notre-Dame de Quézac. It was finished in the 15th century. Its history is punctuated by partial destruction in floods, and by more or less solid rebuilding. It became a listed monument on 27 August 1931.

  • Water

    Quézac mineral water

    Quézac mineral water emerges naturally from the Diva spring, near the entrance to the village, in exceptional surroundings which have been naturally protected for centuries. This pleasant-tasting water is rich in mineral salts and trace elements and is also well-known to be beneficial for the stomach. The spring's water actually comes from Mont Aigoual. According to scientific studies, it takes 30 to 40 years for it to re-emerge in Quézac, after first settling in aquifers, where it acquires its effervescence naturally (rare in France).

  • Water

    The spring of Castelbouc

    The vast spring as you enter the hamlet has four outlets, including one at the back. These openings, out of which water surges during heavy rain, reinforce the translation of the Occitan bouc as bouches (“mouths”). All springs are fed by a catchment area of varying size. Here, the catchment area is the sector of Aven du Pic de l’Usclat, Aven du Loup (Cros garnon) and Aven du Crapaud (Fretma) on the Causse Méjean plateau.
  • History

    The strange legend of Castelbouc

    For you to judge…
    The etymology of Castelbouc is castel blanc, meaning “perched on the rock” in Occitan.
    Legend has it that during the Crusades the castle’s lord was the only man to have remained behind in this little hamlet of dwellings built against the cliff. He had many female visitors, and it was important to him to satisfy their needs. Unfortunately, the Crusade was so long that he was unable to keep going to its end. When his soul left his body, an enormous he-goat was seen hovering over the castle tower… Ever since, a bleating sound followed by strange murmurings can be heard on the summit. This is the legendary origin of the name of Castelbouc...
  • History

    Saint-Chély du Tarn

    Saint-Chély-du-Tarn benefits from the three ideal conditions for founding a village: ample springs; construction materials (tuff rock) available on site; and, above all, a track connecting it to the Causse Méjean plateau. All the gorge hamlets are linked to the Causse by a path. Over time, these connecting paths were developed to varying extents – cobbled and/or consolidated by small walls – and they facilitated trade.
  • History

    The Château de La Caze

    The Château was built in 1489 as a wedding present for Soubeyrane d'Alaman, the niece of the Prior of Sainte-Enimie. With its four corner towers, it is now a hotel. Tradition tells a ribald story about the eight daughters of a former owner. Beautiful and mischievous, they believed in smooth talking and free love. It is said that “their souls are condemned to wander and sigh all night in this dark gorge for want of satisfaction". 
  • History

    Hauterives

    This hamlet was built in an amphitheatre shape above the (now ruined) mill so as to save on farm land. The mill would have been a convivial spot and the fundamental economic link between the plateau and the valley. Here the plateau’s grains were exchanged for legumes, grapes and almonds grown on the well-sited terraces that are still visible today. The mill and dam were carried off by the once-in-a-century flood of 1900. When the road was opened in 1905, Hauterives refused permission for the construction of a bridge. Currently a cable car makes it possible to transport goods and other objects. Access for inhabitants is by boat.
  • History

    The boatmen of La Malène

    “La Malène” means “bad hole”... But for several decades now, it has been more accurate to call it a little jewel that delights tourists. What is its secret? Using the boats which were once strictly utilitarian, back in the days when the Tarn was a transport and trade route! On 29 December 1952, the Cooperative Society of Boatmen of the Gorges du Tarn was officially created. In 1985, the Cooperative became a Worker Cooperative. Once on the water, the boatmen will help you discover sites that can only be seen and approached by boat, such as La Momie Cave, or the Woman with a Parasolrock formation above La Croze. That's at least two good reasons to treat yourself to this journey by water accompanied by the boatmen of La Malène.

  • History

    Little anecdote

    "Traditionally, a hillclimbing race is held in this small town on the first Sunday in July. The first races were goat races. Marthe marshalled her goats at the bridge, climbed the slope of La Canourgue by herself and then called to them from up there. The goats ran to her. The winner was rewarded with a fragrant bouquet of bartas (box)." (M.P Leroy-Delmer)

  • History

    Chapel

    "300 m  from the  hamlet, the ruins of the Château de Planiol dominate a flat area (planiol) of the river, which is 8 m deep here. Then the Romanesque 12th century chapel appears, probably built on the site of a Carolingian oratory. An 'expiatory chapel' has been added, which contains the remains of the martyrs of La Malène. Another chapel is occupied by the Virgin Mary standing in a boat. It is brought out every May for the boatmen's pilgrimage. As for the bridge, it was built in 1856 in the place of a former ford crossed by the Esperelle draille (path for seasonal livestock migration). Because of its scant height, it did not survive the devastating floods of 1875 and 1900.” (M.P Leroy-Delmer)


Description

Day 1: Florac - Ispagnac 10 km, 330 m +
Day 2: Ispagnac - Sainte-Enimie 17,5 km, 433 m +
Day 3: Sainte-Enimie - La Malène 14,2 km, 686 m +
Day 4: La Malène - Les Vignes 12,7 km, 592 m +
Day 5: Les Vignes - Le Rozier 12 km, 435 m +

Suggestion for three days: day 2, days “3+4”, day 5, with the possibility of shortening the Ispagnac/La Malène section, by doing it with the bateliers (boat people) of La Malène in one of their boats: +33 (0)4 66 48 51 10 (reservation and information).

1- Florac to Ispagnac / 10 km, 330 m + : GR®736
From Place de l'Esplanade, take Rue du Thérond, then Avenue du 8 mai 1945 towards the hamlet of Salièges. As you leave Salièges, continue on the track suitable for motor vehicles to Ispagnac, passing through these consecutive small hamlets: Salièges, Le Fayet, Bieisses, Bieissettes (GR®670).

2- Ispagnac to Montbrun Bridge / 7.2 km, 188 m+ : GR®736
Go down Rue des Barrys to the campsite, walk along the Tarn river, cross the bridge and go right through Quézac. After the village, continue for 1.5 km on a lane to pick up the path again. The path – which either overhangs the river or runs along the bank – goes deeper into the canyon, passes the perched village of Montbrun and reaches Montbrun Bridge over the Tarn. 

3- Montbrun Bridge to Castelbouc / 3.3 km, 124 m+ :
Follow the small road on the left bank. This passes above the manor of Charbonnières to reach, a little further on, one of the most unusual sites of the Tarn gorge: the hamlet of Castelbouc, nestled under the cliffs.

4- Castelbouc to Sainte-Énimie / 7 km, 121 m+ :
Go through the hamlet. At the square in front of the bread oven, take the lane on the right and after the small bridge follow the path on the right that heads towards the riverbank. This part of the walk is in the shade of large trees and has views over the Château de Prades. The valley gets narrower before coming out onto the mediaeval village of Sainte-Énimie.

5- Sainte-Énimie to Saint Chély du Tarn / 5 km, 277 m+ : GR®736
Cross the bridge, direction Meyrueis. Turn left in front of the hotel, then left onto the road which goes uphill to some detached houses, then overhangs the D986 before joining up with it. 250 m later take the path on the right. As soon as you leave Sainte-Enimie, the path gains in height, climbs above the cliffs and then goes back down in zigzags to the village of Saint-Chély du Tarn.

6- Saint-Chély du Tarn to La Malène / 9.2 km, 409 m+ : GR®736
Take the road which goes up toward the Causse plateau and, after a hairpin bend, turn right at a crossing. The first section of the path is above the cliffs; then it goes downhill to the riverside. You have views onto the troglodytic village and cirque of Pougnadoires. The path goes back uphill, passes a rocky promontory, goes downhill near the Château de La Caze and then continues on an overhang to Hauterives. After one more section above the cliffs, you arrive at La Malène along the river.

7- La Malène to Les Vignes/ 12.7 km, 592 m+ : GR®736
At the bridge, turn right onto the track suitable for motor vehicles for 3.5 km, then take the path. La Malène is overlooked by a cliff marked by long black streaks. The village is famous for its bateliers (boat people), who have ensured that the traditional descent of the canyon’s narrowest part, by small boat, survives. Until you reach the village of Les Vignes, the path crosses only one hamlet (La Croze, private property). This is the most celebrated section of the canyon, with spectacular scenery: the straits, the Cirque des Baumes, the Pas de Souci. (La Malène – the Cirque des Baumes with the bateliers: 8 km on the river, as a passenger. You can pick up the Tarn gorge path again afterwards; the bateliers will explain how).

8- Les Vignes to Le Rozier / 12 km, 435 m+ : GR®736
Take the road leading up to the Causse Méjean and, after 800 m, the path on the right. At the start, you have magnificent views onto the series of cliffs of the Causses Sauveterre and Méjean. The whole walk is overlooked by the cliffs, at whose feet nestle semi-troglodytic hamlets (you can see St-Marcellin and Eglazines, on the right bank). The path goes above La Sablière, a hamlet with typical architecture (a panel indicates whether it can be visited) and reaches Le Rozier by an easier path.
  • Departure : Florac
  • Arrival : Le Rozier
  • Towns crossed : Florac Trois Rivières, Gorges du Tarn Causses, Ispagnac, La Malène, Massegros Causses Gorges, Saint-Pierre-des-Tripiers, and Le Rozier

Forecast


Altimetric profile


Recommandations

(/!\ Caution during spring and autumn floods: information from tourism offices or at www.vigicrues.gouv.fr (area: Garonne-Tarn-Lot / Haut Tarn-Montbrun).

Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water, wear sturdy shoes and put on a hat. Please close all gates and barriers behind you.

Information desks

Tourism'house and national Parc at Florac

Place de l'ancienne gare, N106, 48400 Florac-trois-rivières

https://www.cevennes-gorges-du-tarn.cominfo@cevennes-parcnational.fr04 66 45 01 14

This office is part of the National Park's associated tourist-information network, whose mission is to provide information on, and raise awareness of, the sites and events as well as the rules that must be observed in the National Park's central zone.

On site:  exhibitions, video projections, events and shop Open year-round

Find out more

Transport

Car park in front of the old train station

Bus line Florac-Mende
Daily year-round bus line, Monday to Saturday morning (except bank holidays)
https://www.cevennes-gorges-du-tarn.com/bus-ales-florac-mende

Bus line Florac-Ste-Enimie-Le Rozier, July and August, every day
https://lio.laregion.fr/IMG/pdf/oc-1903-fhbus-48-258-3v_bd_04_.pdf

Bus line Alès-Florac (by reservation only if starting from Ispagnac), Boulet: +33 (0)4 66 65 19 88
Daily bus line except Sundays and bank holidays, from 15 April to 31 October.
https://fr.calameo.com/read/003034667db3a5b1c0788

Bus line Meyrueis-Le Rozier-Millau, July and August
https://lio.laregion.fr/IMG/pdf/oc-1903-fhbus-48-257-3v_bd_04_.pdf
Daily-year round bus line. Different times depending on school holidays or not.
Line 215 Autocars Causse: + 33 (0)6 65 61 24 16

Access and parking

RN106 Florac

Parking :

3 car parks in Florac: by former train station today the Maison du tourisme et du Parc (joint tourist office and Park informatio

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