FRANCE - RL Stevenson Cévennes
Tour Overview - Itinerary

France Walking Tours:
Pyrenees - RL Stevenson - Cevennes - Dordogne & Lot

RL Stevenson's Travels with a donkey in the Cevennes (GR70) walk.

Tour Itinerary
Itinerary – Starts in Le Puy en Velay

MON 14 MAY:
Arrive Le Puy-en-Velay. Transfer to hotel in Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille. (DBB)

TUES 15 MAY:
Le Monastier to Le Bouchet Saint-Nicholas (22 km – 5.5 hours)

From Le Monastier, where RLS lived for some weeks, we set off across the lush volcanic plateau of the Velay. RLS was heading for the beautiful crater lake, the Lac du Bouchet, but became lost. (DBB)

WED 16 MAY:
Le Bouchet to Pradelles (21 km – 5 hours).

From Le Bouchet the trail crosses rich farmland; fields of Puy lentils and grazing cattle. There are panoramic views of the Velay and Gévaudan. Pradelles is a walled town with an attractive medieval centre. (DBB)

THU 17 MAY:
Pradelles to Le Cheylard L’Évêque (20 km – 5 hours).

An easy walk to Langogne, a small town, and then through remote farms and forests of pine beech and birch to the tiny hamlet of Cheylard L’Évêque. (DBB)

FRI 18 MAY:
Le Cheylard to La Bastide-Puylaurent (19 km – 5 hours).

Walking through mixed forest to Luc, with its ruined chateau, and then following the course of the Allier to La Bastide. (DBB)

SAT 19 MAY:
La Bastide to Chasseradès (12 km – 4 hours).

Visit the monastery at Notre Dame des-Neiges where RLS stayed, and then over La Mourade, a high open plateau, with grand views to the small ancient village of Chasseradès. (DBB)

SUN 20 MAY:
Rest day. An opportunity to visit Mende, the capital of Lozère. There is a small cathedral and an interesting medieval centre. Overnight Chasseradès. (DBB)

MON 21 MAY:
Chasseradès to Le Bleymard (17 km – 5 hours)

Pass under a century-old railway viaduct and ascend to Mt Goulet (1450metres). Views to Mont Lozère before descending to Le Bleymard, a small stone-built village near the base of Mont Lozère. (DBB)

TUES 22 MAY:
Le Bleymard to Le Pont-de-Montvert (18 km – 6 hours).

Today we attain the highest point of the walk as we cross the Sommet de Finiels (1699 metres). Cattle are brought up here for the summer from the valleys far below. Magnificent 360 degree views take in the old province of Gévaudan to the north, the Tarn Gorges to the west, the Alps to the east and the Cévennes to the south. (DBB)

WED 23 MAY:
Le Pont-de-Montvert to Florac (24 km – 6.5+ hours)

This is the longest day, but there are some options to shorten it if you wish. It is high walking with grand views. Florac is a delightful market town with medieval streets and fountains. (DBB)

THU 24 MAY:
Florac to Cassagnas (16 km – 5 hours).

In the morning we walk up the Mimente Valley with some hills and ‘balconies” but from St Julien d’Arpaon to Cassagnas we walk along a disused old railway line. Beautiful country all day. (DBB)

FRI 25 MAY:
Cassagnas to Saint-Germain-de-Calberte (16 km – 5 hours).

Walking through pleasant woodland, forest and areas of chestnut trees. (DBB)

SAT 26 MAY:
Saint-Germaine to Saint-Jean-du-Gard (21 km – 6.5+ hours). (DBB)

SUN 27 MAY:
Transfer to Alès station after breakfast. From here you can easily reach the southern cities of Nîmes, Montpellier and Avignon.

Included in the tour cost
14 Day R.L. Stevenson Walk
Price: $3690 (per person twin-share)
Single Supplement: $425
Accommodation in hotels, guest houses and B&Bs twin/share
En suite rooms where available (nearly every night)
Continental breakfasts daily
13 evening meals
Luggage transferred while you walk
Experienced walk guides
Shuttle bus and driver

Not included:
Lunches
Beverages
Travel to Le Puy and from Alès
Travel insurance (required)
Admission to optional attractions

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RL Stevenson Cévennes
14 – 27 May, 2012