France, Walking in the Cevennes

France, Walking in the Cevennes Overview

In the Cévennes, the ‘transhumance’, the seasonal migration of sheep up to the cool mountain pastures, is still practiced on foot. During our exploration of the region, we will visit one of these shepherds in the heart of the mountains, and have a rare insight into this traditional way of life.

The region of the Causses and the Cévennes was awarded UNESCO world heritage status in 2011, thanks to the traditions of Mediterranean agro-pastoralism which have shaped the landscape over thousands of years. These traditions are very much alive today and continue to contribute to the extraordinary biodiversity of the area.

Following ancient drovers’ paths, we discover how closely the traditions of pastoralism are interwoven with the history of the landscape. In the Cévennes, the ‘transhumance’ the seasonal migration of sheep up to the cool mountain pastures, is still practiced on foot. Shepherds and their flocks walk for up to eight days to reach the summer grazing. During our exploration of the region, we will visit one of these shepherds in the heart of the mountains, and have a rare insight into this traditional way of life. Other walks will allow plenty of time to learn about the natural and human history of this varied and fascinating region.

We stay for a week in a charming 4 star 12th century Chateau, with a pool, extensive grounds and a first class restaurant serving classic French cuisine and wines. We encounter the striking geology of the area, walking through natural rock formations above the gorges of the rivers Tarn and Jonte, where all four European vulture species occur; descend the Tarn Gorge by boat; explore a stunning cave; visit a medieval priory and discover a surprising variety of sheep’s cheeses during a cheese tasting.