The Cirque de Navacelles - Gard
Straddling the départements of Gard and Hérault, the Cirque de Navacelles is an incised meander hollowed out by the River Vis in the limestone of the southern Causses.
The Cirque de Navacelles at the heart of the Causses and Cévennes
Straddling the départements of Gard and Hérault, the Cirque de Navacelles is an incised meander hollowed out by the River Vis in the limestone of the southern Causses. Today the river has taken another path, leaving this marvel of nature. Situated at the heart of the Causses and Cévennes, a region shaped by agropastoral mixed farming and also a UNESCO World heritage Site, the Grand Site de France receives more than 250 000 visitors per year. People come from all over the world to marvel at the impressive views of the Cirque de Navacelles from the viewing points at Belvédère des Chênes, Belvédère de la Doline and Belvédère de la Cascade at the Causse de Blandas in the Gard.
The Maison du Grand Site de France (visitor centre) was opened in 2013. The building blends in perfectly with the landscape with a restaurant, shop, bar, information desk and a projection area showing a non-stop, 10 minute film about the geological and archaeological wonders of the Causse and the Cirque de Navacelles.
The Cirque de Navacelles is an ideal place for slow tourism. Take time to observe, smell and listen more closely to the wildlife and rural heritage curiosities : animal enclosures, lavognes (drinking pools), aromatic plants, capitelles (stone huts), bread ovens… To discover more, go down 300m to the bottom where there is a Plant Trail which is accessible to everyone.
What to do around Cirque de Navacelles
There are lots of outdoor activities in the area : 250km of marked footpaths and tracks for walking, mountain biking, horse or donkey rides, orienteering, trail-running, fishing, caving and treetop adventure trails.
Numerous qualified monitors and guides offer different outings and visits. The amazing Cascade de la Vis (waterfall), Moulin de la Foux (mill and waterfall) , Belvédère de la Baume Auriol(viewing platform) are in the immediate vicinity of the Cirque de Navacelles. A little further away : La Grotte des Demoiselles (cave), l’Abîme de Bramabiau (cave), l’Observatoire du Mont-Aigoual (weather station), la Couvertoirade (village), le Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont (priory), le Musée de Lodève (museum), le viaduc de Millau (viaduct)…
The Cirque de Navacelles can be visited at any time of year. Each season has its own special charm : flora and fauna in profusion in summer, colours and tranquillity in winter, our advice is to try all four !
How and when to come to the Cirque de Navacelles
The Belvédères de Blandas (viewing points) are freely accessible all year round. The Visitor Centre is open from 1 March to 30 November. There are 2 car parks and the facilities are accessible to people with reduced mobility. The site is just 3 minutes from the village of Blandas. In summer, a shuttle service runs from Le Vigan to the Belvédères de Blandas and the hamlet of Navacelles. Daily bus services from Nîmes and Montpellier to Le Vigan with liO bus company. For further information, please contact the Visitor Centre at Blandas (Tel : 09 62 64 35 10), the Visitor Centre at La Baume Auriol (Tel : 04 67 88 86 44), or the Office de Tourisme Cévennes-Navacelles at Le Vigan (Tel : 04 67 81 01 72)."
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