Walking Cevennes Heaven introduces you to an area of extraordinary diversity. Characterised by steep slopes and narrow valleys, it is not a homogenous administrative or geographical space, yet has a strong self-identity that expresses itself through universal themes:
i) Having oppressed Protestant Huguenots in the early eighteenth century, a Spirit of Freedom evolved that sought to champion The Rights of Man. The Cevennes turned volte face and became a refuge for those escaping oppression, be they Spanish Republican, Jew, French Resistance Fighter or Hippy.
ii) The struggle for self sufficiency against ineluctable economic forces – the birth and decline of ways of life due to pestilence, competition and ‘progress’ and countryside exodus, followed by tentative re-settlement by those wishing to preserve ancient crafts or seeking an alternative, organic future.
iii) Man’s struggle to master nature – dams, irrigated terraces and aqueducts are testimony to man’s structuring of his environment to both protect himself from the ravages of water and capture it for his needs.
Walking Cevennes Heaven encapsulates all these themes in walks designed to educate and stimulate both grey and physical matter. Yes, when it comes to walking holidays southern France's 'final frontier' is an unforgetable experience; and you will not get a better introduction to the delights of Cevennes than on this tour.
Walking Cevennes can be challenging in the heat, due to the rocky and stony terrain underfoot, and the continual ascents and descents. Of course, it all depends on what you are accustomed to 'back home.' Neverthless, this is one of our more challenging short walking holidays in France, aimed at regular hikers. It comprises three full-day, inn-to-inn treks, with the option to shorten the second day to a half-day trek.
b) Further Information
The second day of this France hiking tour can be shortened to a morning-only walk, leaving you the afternoon to explore St Jean du Gard. Please ask for our advice.
c) Model Programme: Walking Cevennes Heaven
Day 1. Alès.
Arrival and hotel check-in to this attractive and modern market town that is the gateway to the Cevennes.
Night in Alès.
Day 2. Cevennes Panorama. 12 miles-18 kms
Short, morning transfer to the Cevennes foothills. Your walk brings you outstanding views as you cross the mountain crest: eastwards over the entire garrigue as far as Mont Ventoux and beyond to the Alps; northwards to Mont Lozere, south-westwards to Mont Aigoual and southwards to Pic St Loup and the Mediterranean. You then head south and past a dolmen site before arriving at a key heritage site of Cevennes culture - Mas-Soubeyran and The Musee du Desert – a shrine of tolerance.
Night near Anduze.
Day 3. Route to St Jean du Gard. 5.5 miles -8 kms or 14 miles-20 kms.
Today you follow hill-crests and drop down into picturesque valley. The views are stunning. The Camisards are never far away, as you cross the Gardon Valley and follow the GR 61 to the charming town of St Jean, with its picture-postcard ‘gare’, fascinating museum, castle, cafes and restaurants.
Night in St Jean du Gard.
Day 4. Corniche des Cevennes. 10 miles-15kms.
Climb an ancient drovers’ trail, walked by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1878, to a memorable 360 degree panorama.
Second night in St Jean du Gard.
Day 5. End of your walking tour in France.
Taxi transfer to Ales after breakfast.
d) Access
Joining this tour is easy and convenient from either Nimes airport or railway station, with onward train to Ales taking 40 minutes only.
Please ask us for details regarding our direct airport transfer service.
Access via Avignon, Marseille and Montpellier airports or SNCF stations is the next best option.
You stay:
- One night in Ales
- One night near Anduze
- Two nights in St Jean du Gard
Your accommodation is:
- Three 2-star hotels
- En-suite facilities
- two with outdoor swimming pool*
* pools are normally open mid-May to mid-September.
Note: this walking holiday in France is available all year round. Precise accommodation will vary according to season, but will be of the same standard.
f) What's included in Walking Cevennes Heaven
Included
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4 nights B & B
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2 picnic lunches for Day Two and Three
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1 evening meal on Day Two¹
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Luggage transfers and all transport integral to the programme, incl. taxi transfer from St Jean to Ales at the end of your tour
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Pre-tour briefing and post-tour de-briefing
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Cell-phone loan for non-Europeans if required, subject to availability
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Car parking in Ales for the duration of your walking tour where required*
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Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy
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Themed vacation dossier
- Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup.
¹ leaving you to choose according to your taste and budget on the remaining evenings in Ales and St Jean, where options abound.
Not included
* Parking is at customer's risk.
g) Prices 2010: Walking Cevennes Heaven
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Price per person based on 2 persons sharing double room |
£395.00 or €440.00 |
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Single person |
On Request |
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Extra nights |
On Request |