dossier

Gastronomic Walk in the Tarn

Day 1 Arrive at Le Rozier

You arrive at our *** hotel in Le Rozier in time for dinner.

Day 2 Valley of the Tarn 18km/12mi/4.5hr

A perfect way to start your week with a leisurely and totally flexible walk alongside the River Tarn. There are little river beaches and ideal picnic spots looking down on the crystal-clear waters. Griffon vultures, reintroduced in 1978, glide effortlessly on the thermals.

Day 3 The Causse Noir Corniche 15km/9mi/5hr

This walk takes you through open pine woods interspersed with box and juniper and up to the amazing ruins of the C11 St Michael’s Hermitage and the extraordinary Prehistoric Mushroom rock. There are fantastic views of the Jonte Gorge and from the Point Sublime - a great picnic spot - and your first glimses of the unique rock formations known as the “Vases” across the valley on the Causse Méjean.

Day 4 The Sauveterre Corniche 12km/8mi/5hr

Today’s highlights include both stunning views of the Tarn Gorge and also long distance views south west as far as Millau. Your first stop is the fascinating semi-troglodyte village of Eglazines, from where you climb on to the open causse - it’s a big sky up here! There are more amazing rock formations including the “rock garden” on the descent to the quaint village of Liaucous.

Day 5 The Tarn & Jonte Corniches 13km/9mi/4hr

What a spectacular day - as you set off on one of the most dramatic walks in France, with spectacular views across the Tarn and Jonte gorges. You will see the vultures which were reintroduced here in 1978: at over 8ft, their wingspan is colossal! Many of the amazingly shaped rocks have appropriate names - see if you can recognize the Anvil, the China Vase and the Vase of Sèvres.

Day 6 Montpellier-le-Vieux and the Dourbie Gorges 17km/10mi/6.5hr

Drive south then take the path to the amazing Roques Altes. From these rock towers, around 40m high overlooking the gorge of the Dourbie, you can follow the path along the Corniche du Royal to Montpellier-le-Vieux. Or you might decide just to drive straight there and spend a few hours exploring this chamring rocky chaos (the local people once thought it was a fairy city forgotten in the woods).

Day 7 La Bourgarie and the Cinglegros Rock 11km/7mi/4hr

Drive up on to the Causse Méjean to the hamlet of La Bourgarie. A gentle stroll across the plateau past traditional caussenade farm buildings and through the woods takes you to the amazing Cinglegros Rock. Then it’s on to the Baus del Biel, a 40m high natural rock arch, a superb work of nature. If you’ve made an early start, why not drive across the causse to visit Aven Armand, a remarkable cavern containing a “petrified forest” of 400 stalagmites and stalactites.

Day 8 Leave Le Rozier

Walking Details:

The paths are well made and maintained, but usually stoney and/or rocky, so walking boots are essential. The majority of walks involve sharp climbs from the valley to the causse, and given the nature of the landscape you need to be a reasonably fit and confident walker with a fair head for heights.