Summer break in Villefort (Lozère) from 22 to 30 August 2015
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Presentation
The 2015 summer holiday will take place from 22 to 30 August at the "Mas des Sédariès"in the commune of Villefort.
The Villefort region lies to the south of the Gévaudan, just a few arpents from the Gard and Ardèche. It reveals the face of the Lozère Cévenne. It's a relatively rugged tangle of "serres" and "valats", a difficult and rough land. After years of rural exodus, today's population is enriched by outside contributions encouraged by modern technology. The centuries-old chestnut trees are still there, witness to an agrarian epic that is now a thing of the past. Further south, silk mills and the remains of coal mines are reminders of prosperous times when work fed all generations.
The watershed on the summit of Mont Lozère divides the rainfall; the Tarn and Lot rivers flow westwards, while the Cèze and Gardon join the Mediterranean. On the high plateaux at altitude, immense granite chaotic formations give a rich landscape to this land lost in the sky. In spring, the broom heaths light up the slopes of this bare mountain. But in late summer, it's the mauve and pink of the heather that will delight the avid cyclist's eye. The chestnut bolls (péloux) will soon be ripe, weighing down the branches of this tree, revered since the dawn of time and known as the "breadfruit tree".
This is a land steeped in history. From the Middle Ages onwards, the Régordane road gave the region its importance. Although today the villages are calm and peaceful, the Wars of Religion devastated the people. It was in Pont-de-Montvert in 1702 that the conflict erupted with the assassination of the Abbé du Chayla. As with any civil war, the damage caused and the prejudice suffered took a long time to fade from memory. Tolerance and freedom of conscience are closely linked to the Cévennes region. History repeated itself during the Second World War. The Resistance received a favourable response from the very first hours of the conflict. Over time, it organised itself to become the "army of shadows". "Jean-Pierre Chabrol's novel Un homme de trop, brought to the screen by Costa-Gavras, highlights this dark period in our history. The writer from Pont-de-Rastel has brilliantly rekindled the flame of the Huguenot struggle with "Les fous de Dieu" and the struggle of the miners in the lower Cévennes with "La Gueuse". Novelist, storyteller and radio broadcaster, Jean-Pierre Chabrol, with all his talent, has shed light on the Cévennes.
You're invited to come and discover them at the end of August. The road will be beautiful, the path stony, the accent singing and the sun generous ... Welcome to all.
Guy Cambéssèdes (CC 1420)
Tours
As always road routes will be able to operate over a wider radius than their counterparts mule drivers. Mont Lozère and its adjacent valleys will be at the heart of this Cevennes tour. Our overall altitude will be between 500 and 800 metres, with only a few passes on the Bougès, Mont Lozère and Mont du Goulet above the 1,000-metre mark.
Most of the routes will be flexible, so that everyone can hike as they please. They have deliberately been mapped out with a reasonable mileage. Everyone is free to add an extra mile, to visit a site or to check out a GMP close to the route.
The mountain bike trails are modestly graded, so that everyone can enjoy the scenery to the full and appreciate this southern region. As well as the medium-altitude passes, these circuits will provide a more detailed approach to Mont Lozère, including a complete circuit around the summit of Finiels (1699 m). On the final day, there will also be an ascent of the Col de l'Aigle, very close to the Pic Cassini (1680 m). Last autumn's heavy rainfall may have damaged the paths and forest tracks, but this is not a factor to be overlooked...
If you're planning to explore the region a little further, we've put together an online guide. List of itineraries or sections of itineraries prohibited for cycling in the Cévennes
Hosting
We will be staying at the "Les Sédariès" holiday centre on the outskirts of the town. Just a stone's throw from the Collet de Villefort on the slopes of the mountain, this establishment will be able to accommodate almost all the participants, with a quality hotel residence offering every comfort and a shady campsite with several terraces and a large number of mobile homes for rent. A private swimming pool and crêperie round off the outdoor facilities perfectly.
The commune also has hotels, bed and breakfasts, gîtes and two other campsites on the lakeshore.
- Centre de Vacances " Les Sédariès " - Tel : 04 66 46 25 20 ou 06 52 36 91 49 Site : www.sedaries.com
- Villefort Tourist Office: tel 04 66 46 87 30 - Website : www.villefort-cevennes.com
Useful tips
Although this trip takes place in summer, we recommend that you pack warm clothing and equipment. For cycle maintenance (tyres, inner tubes, etc.), we recommend that you bring everything you need, as we won't have a specialist shop on site.
For the 'after' or post-bike period
The artificial lake on the Altier river is an ideal complement to our activity, offering a late afternoon swim, a stroll along its banks or simply a few moments of relaxation.
The village of La Garde-Guérin, just a few kilometres away, will delight lovers of old stone. The churches of Concoules and Saint-André-Capcèze reveal Romanesque art in all its splendour. For nature lovers, the Mas de la Barque site is a popular starting point for hikes. The Villefort night market, held every Monday evening, is a great opportunity to discover the wealth of local produce.
Registration
To register, download the PDF registration form and follow the instructions therein.
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