2. From Sainte-Enimie to Ispagnac via the Causse de Sauveterre - Day 2


The terraces
Until 1851, there were 54 hectares of grapevines for 850 inhabitants. The vineyards clung to 45-degree slopes, which made work difficult. The low yield, disease and mechanisation were all factors in the abandonment of this crop. The municipality of Ispagnac reintroduced vines in 2003 when a winemaker settled there; a second settled in Blajoux in 2006.

Domaine des Boissets

Tonnas and Nissoulogres
Mas André
Mas are estates or small hamlets. Currently, two families of livestock farmers live in Mas André where they raise sheep for meat (500 to 600 animals). As you leave the hamlet, do stop in front of a complex of ruins with superb stone vaults. Vaulting was often used on both the lower and upper floor, and for both attics and to. The absence of water and of timber for roof structures, the fear of house fires and the abundance of stone explain this type of construction. In fact, a wooden roof could not carry a covering made of limestone tiles – it is too heavy (400 to 500 kg/m²).

Hedges
Hedges (boxwood or thorn bushes) were much used by farmers until the early 20th century to protect crops, flora and fauna, and delimit plots of land. They are the preferred nesting sites of many breeding or migrating birds. They also serve as a hide, not only for birds of prey such as buzzards, sparrowhawks or harriers, but also for insect-eating bids like the Hodgson's redstart and shrike. The berries of certain shrubs (sloe, juniper and dog rose) turn these hedges into larders for seed-eating birds: thrushes, northern grosbeak-canary, ortolan buntings, etc.
The vintners of Ispagnac

Ispagnac church
Description
1- By the Hotel Burlatis, take Rue de la Combe, which climbs to the upper village for 200 m. Take the road on your right, which is tarred at first, and continue on the path that climbs to the Domaine des Boissets, waymarked yellow (steep climb). Pass to the left of the Domaine.
2 – At the road, turn right and continue for 500 m, then turn right again. Follow the waymarks for GRP Tour du Causse de Sauveterre (yellow and red). Pass the hamlet of Jouanas.
3 – By the hamlet of Nissoulogres, take on your right the path towards the edge of the plateau.
4 – Leave the path, which descends into the gorge, and instead follow on your left the path along the edge of the Causse.
5 – At the crossroads with the path on the right that goes down to Le Villaret in the gorge, turn left towards the hamlet of Tonnas and continue on the track towards the hamlet of Le Mas André.
6 – Ignore the road on the left and instead take the old path on the left, which joins up with the road after 300 m.
7 – Continue on the lane for 300 m and take on your right the path that goes down towards the vale of Ispagnac.
8 – At the road, turn right then left towards Ispagnac. After the bridge, immediately turn right in the hamlet of Molines and go down to the river. Take on your left the path along the Tarn.
9 – At Quézac bridge, continue straight ahead along the Tarn and return, past the campsite and then on Rue des Barrys, to the centre of Ispagnac.
- Departure : Sainte-Enimie
- Arrival : Ispagnac
- Towns crossed : Gorges du Tarn Causses, Ispagnac
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
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.com
info@cevennes-parcnational.fr
04 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
Tourism office Cévennes Gorges du Tarn, Ispagnac
Place de l'Église, 48320 Ispagnac
https://www.cevennes-gorges-du-tarn.com/
contact@cevennes-gorges-du-tarn.com
04 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.
Open year-round
Tourism office Cévennes Gorges du Tarn, Sainte-Enimie
village, 48210 Sainte-Enimie
https://www.cevennes-gorges-du-tarn.com/
contact@cevennes-gorges-du-tarn.com
04 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.
Transport
Bus line “Florac – Sainte Enimie – Le Rozier”, every day in July and August
https://lio.laregion.fr/
Access and parking
Parking :
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