Gorges du Tarn - one of France's most beautiful gorges
The River Tarn is 375 km (233
miles) long and flows from Mt Lozere to Moissac, where it enters the
Garonne at the southern end of the Massif Central. The precipitous gorge,
carved out of the limestone rocks of the Grands Causses is one of the
most beautiful in France. Its steep sides are swathed in pine forest and
extraordinary karst formations can be found here.
At Le Rozier, a pretty little village, the Tarn is joined by another
river, the Jonte, and this is the beginning of probably the most
appealing section of the gorge, a 60-km (37-miles) stretch that ends at
Florac. Follow the road from here to the cliff-top at Point Sublime for
some of the best views of stark rock faces and dramatic cliffs. The
imposing fifteenth-century Chateau de la Caze stands close to the Cirque
du Pougnadoires, a large, natural amphitheatre which, during the summer
months, is the site of a fabulous son-et-lumiere spectacle. From the
nearby village of La Malene you can take a trip down river in a
glass-bottomed boat.
Perhaps the best way to see the gorge, however, is to walk along the
riverside footpath or rent a canoe and paddle your way down river. From
this perspective the walls of the canyon seem to rise up endlessly and
the constantly changing light dapples the rocks. This is good bird
watching country – eagle owls and peregrine falcons nest here, and you
might even see huge golden eagles circling high above, looking for prey.
