L'Exil
Yellow waymarks3 points of interest
Village de Saumane - Nathalie Thomas 
HistorySaumane
Centrally located in the Vallée Borgne, Saumane suffered heavily during the conflicts between Camisards and the King’s troops in 1703. The village and its outlying hamlets were pillaged and burnt, the villagers deported. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Golden Age of silkworm farming, Saumane was resplendent again. It had two silk spinning mills and about 500 inhabitants.
During World War II, Saumane was a support centre for the Cevenol Resistance.
Today, its inhabitants focus their energy on nature discovery and sustainable tourism.
Borne kilométrique sur la route Royale - Nathalie Thomas HistoryHeritage: the King’s road
The uphill section from Capou is on the former King’s road, which climbs up the Valat des Pierres valley all the way to St-Roman de Tousque. The road originally linked St-Roman to St-Hippolyte du Fort via Lasalle, the Col du Mercou pass, St-Martin de Corconac and Saumane. This former road is a delight for a slow walk among ferns, pines and sweet chestnut trees. The sound of water is everywhere, in the form of springs or little waterfalls, and the original supporting walls, aqueducts and milestones are magnificent.
Vue de St Roman vers la Vallée Francaise - Béatrice Galzin HistoryThe village of St-Roman de Tousque
"Tousque" is believed to mean "a tuft of trees, thicket, bush". This charming village overlooks the Vallée Borgne to the south and Mont Lozère to the north. It lies on what was once a strategic crossroads of two King’s roads: from Montpellier to Mende, and the connection between the Vallée Française and the Vallée Borgne. Like Le Pompidou, St-Roman was a stopover village for horses and travellers.
As you contemplate the magnificent surrounding scenery or stroll through the lanes, you can imagine the much busier life in the old days… Today St-Roman is a peaceful village where life is good.
Description
From the main square of “Saumane”, walk towards “Col de l'Exil” via “Pont de Saumane”.
1) At “Pont de Saumane”, continue to “Col de l'Exil” on the road, via La Tourette.
2) Continue on the track in the forest to an intersection, go downhill on the right and cross the river on the picturesque bridge, then go back uphill to just below the hamlet of Bourgnolles.
3) Take the road on the right to the D 907, turn left onto it and walk to the Maison de Capou.
4) At Maison de Capou, go uphill through the stony ravine to reach St-Roman de Tousque (former King’s road).
5) In St-Roman de Tousque, turn right in the village and join the Corniche des Cévennes road (D 9).
6) At the road (D9), cross the security barriers and walk to the Col de l’Exil pass.
7) At “Col de l'Exil”, take the forestry track on the right towards “Saumane” via “Cabrijoule”.
8) At “Cabrijoule” keep going downhill towards “Saumane” via the “Pont de Saumane”.
At “Pont de Saumane”, turn left to return to the car park.
- Departure : Saumane
- Arrival : Saumane
- Towns crossed : Saumane, Les Plantiers, Saint-André-de-Valborgne, and Moissac-Vallée-Française
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water.
Information desks
Tourism & national parc'house
Col de la Serreyrède, 30570 Val d'Aigoual
The Maison de l'Aigoual houses the tourism office Mont Aigoual Causses Cévennes and the Maison du Parc national. This visitor centre provides information on and raises awareness of the Cévennes National Park, its sites and events as well as the rules that must be observed in the National Park's central zone.
On site: changing exhibitions, video projections, Festival Nature events and shop Open year-round
Tourism office Mont Aigoual Causses Cévennes, Saint-André-de-Valborgne
les quais, 30940 Saint-André-de-Valborgne
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.
Access and parking
Parking :
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