Mont Aigoual
Mont Aigoual is a 1,567m high mountain, the highest in the Gard. It is part of the Massif Central and is located within the Cévennes National Park.
Mont Aigoual at the heart of the Parc National des Cévennes
It is part of the drainage divide between the Mediterranean to the south and the Atlantic to the north, and is also a very wet mountain as it is the first « cold obstacle » that the warm, damp winds from the Mediterranean Sea encounter. It is a very windy place and often has record sub-zero temperatures in winter !
The Météo-France weather station at the top of the mountain is the last remaining inhabited weather station in France ! The large building, built at the end of the 19th century, houses one exhibition on climate observation and weather forecasting and another of 800 photos tracing the Massif de l’Aigoual through the seasons. Outside, the weather measuring equipment can be seen on the vast roof-terrace of the observatory.
The Massif de l’Aigoual also offers an amazing 360° panorama over the 13 surrounding départements. In fine weather, you can see the sea, Mont Ventoux and Mont Blanc to the east and the Pic du Midi and Le Canigou to the west. Don’t hesitate to sit down in the bar to enjoy the view, or have a picnic on the vast grassy areas around the observatory. Lots of footpaths start here for walks across magnificent, unspoilt scenery.
What to see and do at Mont-Aigoual
The « Estival de l'Aigoual » festival of science, culture and local traditions takes place every year during the first weekend in August. Conferences, story-telling, activities, concerts and star-gazing make the event a fun experience in a unique setting. Since 13 August 2018 the heavens above Aigoual have become the largest dark sky reserve in Europe (global status awarded to the Cévennes National Park). The sunrises and sunsets here are marvellous sights, but if you plan to spend the night star-gazing, make sure you are well-equipped ! Nights are chilly, even in summer, in fact even in the daytime it’s best to have a jumper as it’s often windy on Aigoual !
And don’t hesitate to come back every season. In autumn, the mountain is bedecked in the most wonderful colours, time to go mushroom picking and grill chestnuts on the fire ! In spring, wild flowers brighten up the countryside as nature begins to stir. In winter the scenery is simply magical. Less than 2 hours from Montpellier and Nîmes, the little ski resort of Prat Peyrot, at the foot of Aigoual, has toboggan slopes, 14 downhill skiing pistes, 60km of cross-country ski trails and 10km of snowshoe trails. Finally, if an elevation gain of 1,200m does not scare you why not attack the famous walk along the ‘sentier des 4000 marches’ path across the Massif de l’Aigoual !
Continue your discovery tour of South Cévennes by visiting the Cirque de Navacelles
How to get to Mont Aigoual
Observatoire de l’Aigoual – L’Espérou – 30570 VALLERAUGUE
Observatory opening times : 1 May to 30 September : 10.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 18.00. 5 July to 24 August : 10.00 -19.00. Group visits by reservation only, except in summer."
