Pont du Tarn

Architecture and village

Fauna and flora

History and culture

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This walk leads you on the draille du Languedoc (track for seasonal livestock migration) to the bends of the river Tarn, exploring the singular built heritage of this granite area.

Typical Mont Lozère hamlets such as L'Aubaret or Troubat, in the central zone of the Cévennes National Park, bear witness to a life of self-sufficiency. At the Pont du Tarn, you can cool off in the pure and invigorating waters of the Tarn, not far from its spring.

3 points of interest

Boisement du Bougès sud - © Guy Grégoire
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)
Transhumance sur la draille de l'Aubaret - © Olivier Prohin
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)
La draille et l'Aubaret - © Bruno Daversin
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.

Description

After the last farm built of granite, turn right as you exit the hamlet onto a paved oxcart track, which goes downhill through large fields. Ford the brook and go back uphill through the beech grove. Go straight ahead at the Col des Rouvières pass. Take the dirt path that joins up with the track before Les Bastides. It climbs through a spruce forest alongside a torrent, then joins up with a track: the draille du Languedoc. At Le Plo de la Nassette, which is the last intersection of drailles before Mont Lozère, take the GR 7-68 straight up the slope. At L'Aubaret, take the GR 7 towards the Pont du Tarn. A short detour leads you to the Pont du Tarn, which you can see through the pine trees. Turn left towards Felgerolles. Before a bend in the river, the path leaves the Tarn behind (on your left) to skirt the Serre de Escoroborats ridge, and joins up with a forestry track that goes downhill to Troubat. Go downhill on the road for 300 m and then take the shortcut across the fields that goes back uphill to Masméjean.

Departure : Masméjean
Arrival : Masméjean
Towns crossed : Pont de Montvert - Sud Mont Lozère and Vialas

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

The Alignon ford may be impassable when the river is in flood. If necessary, continue on the road instead. 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 good shoes and put on a hat. Please close all gates and barriers after yourself.

Is in the midst of the park

The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

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

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