Forming the southernmost bastion of the Massif
central, the Grands Causses (limestone plateaux) enjoy a varied, but sunny
climate.
This fabulous region boasts hidden riches
With its vast limestone steppes, bewitching
light, rocky chaos full of strange forms, limpid waters snaking their way
through the bottom of green gorges ...the region of the Grands Causses has
always fascinated and intrigued the visitor.
- over 1500 species of plants,
including many orchids, the cardabelle, angel-hair grass…
- many protected animal species
including the griffon vulture, reintroduced in 1981,
- a heritage of historic
buildings, from Neolithic dolmens dating from 5000 B.C. to the Millau Viaduct
(opened in 2004)...
By the first centuries of the
Christian era, the Ruthenian Celts lived here peacefully under Roman
domination. Pottery from the Graufesenque supplied the Roman army with
splendid plates.
The Middle Ages saw the
development of a mixed agro-pastoral economy run by the Knights Templar, whose
fortified villages still watch over the Larzac causse.
The 20th century was a time of
changing mentalities and modernisation of the economy, which continues today,
especially where the production of Roquefort cheese is concerned.
Situation:
The Park, in the southern Aveyron,
borders the Cévennes National Park and the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural
Park. To the north is the Lot Valley and to the south the Lacaune mountains.
Whether for a short break or a longer
stay, getting here could not be simpler, by car on the A75 motorway, by train
to Millau or by air from London Stansted or Paris diretc to Rodez.
Regional Natural Park of the Grands Causses
fact sheet:
Established in 1995 in the
department of the Aveyron (Midi-Pyrénées Region)
Number of towns and villages: 94
Surface area: 320,000 ha
Number of inhabitants: 66,010
