The Gorges du Gardon

The superb efforts made by the local authority (Syndicat Mixte) for many years to preserve the landscape and protect its wildlife have been rewarded by the status of ‘Grand Site de France’ and Nature Reserve.
La Maison des Gorges is a visitor centre opened in 2015 in the village of Sainte Anastasie. It is accessible for everyone and has a museum space which presents the different habitats and landscapes found in the gorges in an interesting, fun way. The Syndicat Mixte also organises lots of events and nature walks all through the year, run by professionals and mostly for anyone aged over 6.

A unique area, extremely rich in wildlife :
- Plant life including remarkable species recognised by the National Mediterranean Conservatory at Porquerolles (Fraxinella, Ophrys splendida (a wild orchid), Gagea Granatelli)
- Animal life including many species of birds (Bonelli’s eagle, little egret, short-toed snake eagle...), amphibians, insects, mammals (European beaver…), bats (barbastelle, lesser mouse-eared bat …)
Man has occupied the area since prehistoric times and traces of early and ancient history can be seen in the cave paintings in the Grotte de la Baume, the Pont du Gard built by the Romans and the 10th century Hermitage of Saint Vérédème.