The park is home to a unique tradition of transhumance where sheep are moved between the Mediterranean plains and mountain pastures.
It was the first French national park to be established in a populated rural area.
The park features over 50 kilometers of marked trails for long-distance hikers.
It preserves one of the most significant collections of megalithic monuments in France, specifically in the Causse de Sauveterre.
The park's specific 'Cévenol' climate is influenced by Mediterranean rainfall patterns colliding with mountain elevations.
It is a critical sanctuary for the golden eagle and the griffon vulture.
The park covers roughly 900 square kilometers, including a core area and a peripheral transition zone.
Traditional farming structures known as 'bancels' (terraced fields) are essential to the park's visual identity.
Cévennes National Park is a protected mountain region spanning the departments of Lozère and Gard in southern France. It is the only French national park with a significant permanent population residing within its core zone. The landscape is characterized by the granite massif of Mont Lozère, the schist valleys of the Cévennes, and the limestone plateaux known as Causses. It holds UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status and serves as a site for reintroducing vultures and beavers. The park encompasses the historic path of the Stevenson Trail, popularized by Robert Louis Stevenson's 1878 journey. Traditional dry-stone architecture, including 'clèdes' for drying chestnuts and 'drailles' for transhumance, defines the cultural heritage. It is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve, offering exceptional conditions for stargazing. The park headquarters is located in the town of Florac Trois Rivières.
The summit of Mont Lozère for panoramic views across the park.
Carry a physical topographic map as mobile signal is frequently unavailable in the valleys.
Pack layers even in summer, as temperatures drop significantly when moving from the valleys to the plateaux.
Confirm the status of hiking trails with the park house in Florac, as paths can be rerouted due to conservation or weather damage.
Attempting to drive between remote villages exclusively by GPS, as many routes are narrow, unpaved forestry tracks.
Park visitor centers have reduced operations or closures during the winter months.
Strictly follow 'Leave No Trace' principles; do not disturb livestock or wander into private fenced agricultural fields.
