24 hours in the Tarn Gorges

1 - The beauty of Causse Méjean
On leaving Florac (48), take the D907 towards Meyrueis. Cross the splendid solitude of the Causse Méjean (limestone plateau) with its 33,000 hectares of wild prairies, scattered with hamlets full of houses with roofs of local stone and little shepherds’ shelters. You soon arrive at the Nîmes-le-Vieux chaos.

2 - In the limestone chaos
At the heart of the Cévennes national park (48), the Nîmes-le-Vieux chaos is a strange jumble of lime stones reminiscent of a ruined city. A landscape chiselled down the ages by water, ice, sun and wind erosion, creating strange and fantastical shapes in the dolomitic limestone. The site can be reached through Perjuret pass. An educational trail crosses the chaos between the hamlets of Horn and Gally on leaving Veygalier.

3 - The stalagmites of Aven Armand
After passing through the little village of Meyrueis, at the crossroads between the Cévennes and the causses, leave the Gorges de la Jonte road on your left and take the D986, soon reaching Aven Armand which resembles a 10-15 metre diameter crater when viewed from above. Access to this underground den is by a cable car which descends the rock until you reach an oval-shaped well. Over 400 stalagmites fashioned over millions of years await in this immense underground chamber, which could easily house Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral.

4 - The majesty of the Tarn gorges
In the same direction, at Carnac, take the little D43 towards La Malène. The road heads down the Causse Méjean towards the bottom of the Gorges : a sublime spectacle. Look down over the entire Tarn Gorges stretching over 53 km between Ispagnac and Le Rozier. What remains of the little River Tarn has worn a groove through the soft limestone between cliffs which soar to 500 metres. The narrower stretch between La Malène and Les Vignes is said to be the most beautiful. At the bottom of the Gorges, where sports lovers come to canoe and kayak, you can take a gentle one-hour boat ride down towards the Baumes cirque.

5 - Sublime view of Les Baumes
Those who opt not to take the boat can head for the sublime Les Baumes, 12 km from La Malène, heading towards La Canourgue. 400 m above the river on the Sauveterre causse, this belvedere offers a spectacular view of ochre cliffs plunging towards the emerald waters of the Tarn, which takes a right turn here creating a view of the gorges on both sides.

6 - Upmarket dinner at La Caze
After so much beauty, why not continue on this sublime note. At Sainte-Enimie, on the edge of the Gorges, a château whose origins date back to the 15th century has been transformed into a smart hotel-restaurant. Jean-Paul Lecroq serves contemporary cuisine, to be enjoyed in the dining room or on the terrace overlooking the château moat. The four-star hotel has magnificent rooms with incredible views.
Château de la Caze Hotel restaurant
Gorges to Saint-Enimie road (48).
Menus from € 29 to € 90.
Tel. 04 66 48 51 10.
www.Châteaudelacaze.com

7 - The Quézac bubbles
A final stop before returning to Florac takes you to the Quézac bottling factory (48) with its fine sparkling water, produced since 1901 and at a new bottling factory since 1989.
Quézac water, open from Monday to Thursday.
Reservations only.
Admission : € 3, Concs € 1.60.Under 12s free.
Tel. 04 66 45 47 15.