[Les Grands Sites d’Occitanie] The Gorges du Tarn, one of the most spectacular landscapes in France

Gateway to our cultural and natural heritage, 41 places are labeled “Grands Sites Occitanie”. They highlight the splendor of the region and allow each visitor to discover remarkable and exceptional sites. Le Journal Toulousain takes you this week to the Gorges du Tarn, in Lozère.

Sculpted by millennia of erosion, the Gorges du Tarn offer a grandiose spectacle. Between Lozère and Aveyron, this spectacular canyon, labeled Grand site de France and Grand site Occitanie, extends over around fifty kilometers of exceptional landscapes. 600 meter cliffs, turquoise waters and picturesque villages follow one another, shaping a unique setting in the heart of the Grands Causses, a territory classified as a UNESCO world heritage site for its ancestral pastoralism.

The Gorges du Tarn, a natural treasure between cliffs and rivers

Outdoor enthusiasts will find an incomparable playground here. Canoeing, swimming, via ferrata, climbing, caving or even paragliding: all activities are practiced there against the backdrop of the majesty of the Tarn. The more contemplative will not be left out: from the Roc des Hourtous, a breathtaking panorama reveals the meanders of the river, flown over by griffon vultures, reintroduced in the 1980s.

The villages of character punctuating the gorges are also worth a detour. Sainte-Enimie, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, seduces with its medieval streets and its Hermitage offering a breathtaking view of the valley. Castelbouc, clinging to its cliff, or Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, with its magical waterfalls.

Discovering the Cévennes National Park

In Lozère, the Gorges du Tarn embody a balance between preserved nature and heritage. In this territory, each visitor will find something to marvel at and recharge their batteries. Furthermore, the Cévennes National Park invites you to prolong the wonder. Between hiking trails and pastoral traditions, discover a centuries-old way of life.

And why not also discover the Gorges de la Jontea river which has its source at Mont Aigoual, crosses Meyrueis, and flows into the Tarn.