Lozere is a French department of Occitanie.
Geography
Lozère is a département of southern France and is part of the Languedoc Roussillon region. Lozère could be divided in four natural parts: Aubrac in the Northwest, Margeride in the Northeast, Cévennes and Mont Lozère Southeast and Gorges du Tarn, Jonte, Causses, Vallée du Lot form the Southwest part of the département. The area was named after the mount Lozère which highest point is the Finiels peak (1699m). The average altitude of habitable space in Lozère is the highest of France (about 1100m).
Climate
The climate in Lozère is the result of two main influences: Oceanic in the North of the département and Mediterranean in the South. Nevertheless, the relief of the area creates contrast in terms of temperature, rainfall and sunshine.
History
The département of Lozère was created in the year 1790 during the French Revolution. Its current frontiers are roughly the same than Gevaudan, a Province of the former French territory division.
Towns
Mende with its 13,000 inhabitants is the administrative centre of Lozère. At first sight, it could seem to be a remote, secluded place, but in reality Mende is a dynamic and charming city; one will be seduced by its paved alleys, its crowded café terraces, or its rich architectural and historical heritage. A few examples of this heritage would be the 7 metre wall rampart with its tour, which are the only remains of the ancient fortifications, Pont Notre Dame,a bridge dating back to the 13th century, or la Place au Beurre which is one of the three squares of the medieval city.
Marvejols was the Royal City of Gevaudan, located at 670 metres of altitude, 5km from Paris and from Spain. There, La Porte du Soubeyran, the medieval entrance to the city, kept its traditional appearance despite significant repairs at the beginning of the 17th century. The main attraction of the area is the Parc à Loups (8km from Marvejols), where more than 100 wolves live in semi-captivity; they keep alive the famous legend of the Bête du Gevaudan (the Gevaudan’s Creature) which was the unproven origin of attacks on people in the years 1760.
Florac is a beautiful village of Lozère, in the middle of the Parc des Cévennes. It is ideal for holidays focused on Nature. La Source du Pêcher which is a little waterfall in the centre of the city, is one example of its charming character. Also, it is worth seeing Florac’s castle which was destroyed during the Religion wars and rebuilt in 1652.
Gastronomy
Aligot is a traditional dish from Aubrac made from potatoes, fresh tomme cheese, fresh cream, bacon and garlic. Pouteille is a speciality of Canourgue, a village of Lozère, with pig’s trotters, beef, potatoes, onions and red wine.
As for cheese, Fédou is a sheep’s cheese only produced in Lozère, in the Hyelzas cheese factory. The making of the Pelardon cheese (goat cheese) is spread over the region of Languedoc Roussillon and benefits from the Appelation d’Origine Controlée label, which testify to its origin and quality. The Bleu des Causses cheese is made from cow milk and is produced in the cliffs of les Gorges du Tarn, in Lozère.
Activities
In the region of Margeride, the traveller can go hiking and discover villages made of granite among streams and rivers, oak and fir-tree forests. North of Marvejols, Saint Chely d’Apcher or le Malzieu whose history is rich and eventful are worth visiting.
The Gorges du Tarn: the river Tarn rises at 1600m of altitude, at Mont Lozère, and an impressive canyon was carved in the Grandes Causses massif.
Cévennes and Mont Lozère: the rigorous mountainous life and the smooth Mediterranean climate are both present in the Pays des Cévennes. In 1970, le Parc des Cévennes was created and aims at preserving animals and plants, and promote an economic growth which respects the environment. It protects more than 2,400 animal species, and about 2,300 vegetable species.
Mont Lozère is included in the Parc des Cévennes where the traveller can find the Tarn’s headspring or le Cham des Bondons where menhirs are clustering.
Sports: Hiking, horse riding, spa, cycle touring, archery, potholing, climbing activities are available. Lozère also offers a wide range of snow, air and water sports.
Useful information:
Tourism office in Aude:
www.francetourism.com
Maps of Aude:
www.ign.fr
www.maps.google.fr
Travel from the UK
By air: Ryanair flies to Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nîmes and Perpignan from London Stansted. British Airways gand GB Airways fly to Montpellier from Gatwick.
Our team of sale advisers at Sextant Properties will be happy to help you to find a property in Lozère. We have a large network of estate agents in Aude. All of them are registered French estate agents and speak both French and English. Whatever kind of property you are looking for: villa, farmhouse, longere, barn, gite, B&B, country house, mill, castle or chateau, we will do our best to find a property in Aude matching your requirements. To find out more about our properties for sale in Aude do not hesitate to contact us.