Mende - Le sentier des vieux villages

A hike in the region Languedoc-Roussillon

Deforested at the beginning of the century, subject to the erosion, the limestone plateau of Mende has been reforested with black pines. Now, this forest is an ideal place to the practice of open air activities. In this stroll, the old buildings lovers will discover two ruins of village belonging to the typical caussenarde architecture. You can also visite the Hermitage of Saint-Privat.

Information

General points

• Geographic situation. District : Saint-Bauzile (department Lozère, canton Mende)
                                     Road map with
• Starting point : Car park of the Hermitage of Saint-Privat (access from the road D25 since Mende).
• The length of the stroll is estimated at 7,6 Km and the walk duration is about 2 h 30 mn.
• The stroll is marked out all along
• Stroll form : loop
• Stroll relief : hilly (alt. mini = 950 m ; alt. maxi = 1060 m)
• Maintenance : frequent (brushwood clearing at least annual)
• Exposure : varied (both covered and uncovered areas)

Noteworthy places

Ermitage de Saint-Privat. Saint-Privat evangelized the country of Gévaudan in the IIIth century. He was tortured in the time of the emperor Valérien or Gallien (he died between 257 and 260). His body was transported in several places and in 1170 the bishop Aldebert III of Tournel brought back his remains in the primitive crypt of the cathedral. The religious wars and the Revolution removed partially the relics, what remains is kept in the Hermitage church. A pilgrimage takes place there every summer.

La grotte du Mont Mimat. The cave situated on the right of the hermitage has been always a place of cult. A bishop and a chaplain settled down as early as the XIIth century.

Forêt Domaniale de Mende. The wood is a part of the National Office of Forests. Originally, it is a mixed forest of downy oaks and scots pines. The beech can be present on the heights.

Maps

IGN 2638 E, Carto Exploreur 48 Sud.

Bibliography

Mende et ses environs à pied entre Margeride et Causses. (Coll. Les Départements de France à pied. Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre).