The Cevennes, on the eastern flank of the Massif Central is the only inhabited French National Park. It boasts great natural beauty and is almost totally unspoilt, a walkers' paradise! Depopulation has left a region full of sad romantic ruins and whilst the Cevennes always provide fairly rugged terrain, hiking in this part of France is not unduly demanding.

As you head south in the Cevennes, the limestone plateaus and deep canyons of the Massif Central give way to more Mediterranean landscapes. Discover rolling fields dotted with granite boulders and medieval stone villages, valleys of chestnut forests, wildflowers and ruined castles, and the twisting reaches and breathtaking gorges of the Tarn, one of France’s prettiest rivers. Start your French Camino in Le Puy en Velay in the Auvergne and from there make your way south.

In the autumn of 1878, Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) set out to walk a trail across the Cevennes - accompanied by "a small grey donkey called Modestine, the colour of a mouse with a kindly eye". It took this pleasing pair eleven days to complete the trip, and the book that Stevenson wrote about their journey ‘Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes’ has since become a travel classic.

Stevenson should have put this French region ‘on the map’, but despite the account of his travels through this beautiful region, it remains little known. Inns where Stevenson stopped still exist and at Notre Dame des Neiges the monks are still praying and brewing! We have taken the liberty of replacing Stevenson’s donkey with less troublesome methods of baggage handling during your walking holidays. Start planning your walking holiday on Stevenson's Trail, GR70 or RLS Trail today.

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Cevennes highlights

 

Why travel with us

Local Connections in the Cevennes

We place great emphasis on researching, planning and crafting innovative itineraries to ensure you get the very best experience out of your trip in the Cevennes. We believe relationships are important and have been working with many of our hoteliers and local suppliers for years. This means that they know exactly what our travellers expect.

Great Value & Quality Holidays in the Cevennes

Our active holidays in France's Cevennes region are well priced offering great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. When you book, your trip will be fully organised by a dedicated member of our in-house team, so you will always know who you are dealing with. We take the stress out of organising your trip in France.

Personal Experience in the Cevennes

Our team have been walking and cycling in the Cevennes for over 4 decades. We are passionate about France, active holidays and delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of the UK & Europe and bring a multi-disciplined, multicultural and whole-hearted love of all things travel.

Accommodation

Charming local hotels

We use a range of 1-3 star hotels, often family run. These charming hotels provide access to local living thanks to your hosts. The hospitality is generous and their local knowledge is invaluable. Often they are part of the quality and independent Logis hotel-restaurants network. Some have swimming pools. Where possible, we choose hotel locations that add to your experience.

Bed & Breakfasts / Guesthouses

Simple yet rich in local character, the B&B’s chosen are clean, comfortable and run by hosts that help add to your experience. A guesthouse is similar to Bed & Breakfasts. These family-owned accommodations are clean and comfortable. Rooms with en-suites generally have a shower but no bath due to space. There may be a separate room with a bath tub.

Trip reviews

Videos

Walking the French Way of St James Camino with UTracks

Essential information

Currency

Euro

International Dialing Code

+33

Electricity
Type C plug

Electricity in France is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.