Gorges du Tarn Attractions
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The canyon-like gorges of the Tarn, which are at their most impressive between Ste-Enimie and Les Vignes and are continued by the fine Gorges de la Jonte between Le Rozier and Meyrueis, are one of the most striking scenic features in France. They can be followed by road and also, in some stretches, by boat.The Tarn, rising on Mont Lozère in the northeastern and highest part of the Cévennes, follows a winding course hewn deep in the limestone of the Causses. The valley was carved out in a number of phases, the last of which extended over something like a million years, forming sheer cliffs which tower above the valley bottom to heights of up to 500m/1,650ft. After a course of some 375km/235mi the Tarn flows into the Garonne at Moissac, northwest of Toulouse.
Through the Gorges du Tarn
Florac
Florac, at the foot of the Causse Méjean, to the east, is the best starting point for a trip through the Gorges du Tarn, as well as a link with the exploration of the Cévennes.
Ste Enimie
From Florac D907B runs parallel with the river to Ste-Enimie, an old-world little town situated above a bend in the Tarn. In the Vieux Logis, an old granary, is a small local museum.
Old Town Walls
Encircling a former monastery with a Romanesque chapterhouse are remains of the old town walls. The church, originally 12th C., was much altered in later centuries.
Ermitage de Ste Enimie
The Ermitage de Ste-Enimie, a chapel built in a cave, is said to have been occupied by the saint after whom the town is named.
Meyrueis - Aven Armand
From Ste Enimie, it is possible either to go south on D986 to the Aven Armand, a magnificent stalactitic cave, with stalagmites up to 30 m/100ft high, which was discovered in 1897 but opened to the public only in 1926.The 100-meter long cave can be reached through a direct 50-meter vertical chimney. A further shaft goes down a further 90 meters, although it is blocked. The cave is filled with speleothems, many of which are said to resemble animals.
La Malène
After passing Aven Armand, on the Gorges du Tarn driving tour, the next place of any size in the Tarn valley is the finely situated village of La Malène, the starting point of a boat trip of more than one hour through the narrow Détroits ("Straits"), which cannot be reached from the road, to the Cirque des Baumes. The road then runs past the Pas de Souci, where the river disappears under a tumble of rocks.
Point Sublime
From the little village of Les Vignes a side road winds steeply up to the most impressive viewpoint in the Gorges, the Point Sublime, 400 m/1,300ft above the bed of the river.
Le Rozier
From Les Vignes it is possible to take a boat trip to Le Rozier, at the junction of the Tarn and the Jonte. Le Rozier gets its name from the roses grown Gorges du Tarn here by monks in the 11th C. Above the village is the crag of Capluc, with a ruined castle and a view of the Causse Méjean.
Millau
From Le Rozier it is possible to continue to Millau (pop. 21,371), situated in the Tarn basin at an altitude of 379m/1,245ft, a glove-making town with old arcaded houses and a Gothic church.
Abbey Summer Music, Sylvanes
This annual month-long festival takes place in the twelfth-century Cistercian Abbey and runs from mid-July to mid-August. There are over a dozen concerts by major symphonies, choral groups, chamber orchestras and famous pianists, as well as various lectures.
Site Archéologique de la Graufesenque
Graufesenque was a center for ceramics. The remains of the site have uncovered more than 600 workshops of potters who manufactured a red terra cotta crockery.
Gorges de la Jonte
The Gorges de la Jonte are less imposing than the Tarn gorges but equally romantic. The gorges are particularly impressive between Le Rozier and Meyrueis; the best viewpoint is the Belvédère des Terrasses, just off the road.
Montpellier-le-Vieux
From Le Rozier or Millau there is a rewarding trip (12km/7-1/2mi or 18km/11mi) to the rock labyrinth of Montpellier-le- Vieux, a series of bizarre rock formations which in places looks like a ruined town. A walk round the site (signposted) takes about 1.5 hours. From the higher points there are fine views of the Causses.
Roquefort
20km/12.5mi southwest of Millau is the little town of Roquefort, famous for its cheese; visitors can see round the cellars in which it is matured.
Meyrueis - Dargilan Cave
Near Meyrueis, at an altitude of 850m/2,790ft is an interesting stalactitic cave, the Grotte de Dargilan, 1,600m/1,750yd long, with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites.In 1890 this became the first cave to be open to the public, although it has been extensively renovated since then. It includes a chaos cave, as well as several erosion galleries. Four new rooms were opened in 1988, and has since been ranked as one of the largest caves in Europe.
Excursion to Rodez
Rodez
Rodez (pop. 26,367), chief town of the département of Aveyron, lies on a hill above the Aveyron, between Auvergne and Toulouse. On the east side of the Place d'Armes is the fortress-like Cathedral of Notre-Dame (13th-16th C.), its west front flanked by two unfinished towers. The upper part of the bell-tower on its north side has delicate Flamboyant tracery. The interior is richly decorated. The third chapel on the right has a fine stone screen (15th C.) and a Holy Sepulchre (16th C.). In the transept are a magnificent 15th C. rood screen and a beautifully carved organ gallery (17th C.). The choir has Late Gothic stalls. On the north side of the cathedral are the Bishop's Palace (17th C.) and the Tour de Corbières (1443), a relic of the old town walls. Also of interest are the Romanesque church of St- Amans (12th C., rebuilt in 18th C.), with beautiful capitals and 16th C. tapestries, the Musée Fenaille (archeological finds, medieval sculpture, applied art) and the Musée des Beaux-Arts (pictures and sculpture).Farther upstream is the little town of Belcastel, dominated by the ruins of its castle.
Map - Gorges du Tarn
