Distance: 57.5km. Maximum altitude: 1172m. Minimum altitude: 383m. Cumulative elevation gain: 829m.
IGN maps: La Bastide-Puylaurent (2738E). Mont Lozère Florac PN des Cévennes (2739OT). Largentière la Bastide-Puylaurent Vivarais Cévenol (2838OT). Bessèges Les Vans Chassezac Valley (2839OT).

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La Garde-Guérin is a fortified village located in the Lozère department in the Occitanie region. It is perched on a rocky plateau in a magnificent location and is one of the many attractive little villages to discover in the Cévennes National Park. The village is crossed by the Chemin de Régordane (GR700), an almost unique communication route linking the Massif Central to the Mediterranean, very busy in the Middle Ages. Originally, this path was known as l’ Estrade (Occitan estrada, “main road”, from the Latin strata). In the 12th century, at the request of the Bishop of Mende, the village became a border post defended by a garrison responsible for the safety of travelers and goods on the Regordane. Throughout the 13th century, this place was simply called La Garde. The name Guérin only appears in 1298. The fortified village, or castrum of La Garde, is owned in co-seigneury by a community of knights los Parièrs (in Occitan: “the Equals”, from the Latin pares), an economic and military community in the spirit of the Schools of Chivalry flourishing in France from the 12th century who swear an oath to the Bishop of Mende. Each parièr owns a parerie, also called part or portion, which he assumes responsibility for and collects the income: toll, cartelage (right on the measurement of grain), guidance and protection of travelers, animals and goods on the portion of the Régordane road that they maintained, pulverization (right on the dust raised by the herds of animals).

Located on the old Régordane road, fief of the Châteauneuf de Randon, then of the barons of Tournel. Villefort was an important place of passage, hard-fought during the Wars of Religion. In turn Protestant, Catholic. ransomed by some, by others.... very close to Mont Lozère, the most northerly of the Camisard strongholds. The architecture of the old buildings of Villefort is characteristic of the architectural style of the street villages. Here are some examples: The houses with double vaulted porches were once inns or shops for merchants or craftsmen: one of the porches was used to store goods, the other to display them. The sculpted lintels above the entrances of some houses on Rue de l'Eglise or Rue de la Bourgade bear witness to the past activities of their occupants. The windows with mullion or transoms, windows from the Renaissance period, adorn the facades.

In the heart of Lozère, nestled in the green folds of Pourcharesses, stands the Château de Castanet, a jewel of the 16th century. Its history is woven into the carpet of the French countryside, where chestnut trees reign supreme and whisper the secrets of yesteryear. Situation Perched on a promontory, the castle watches over the surroundings of Villefort, a canton that once escaped the influence of Gévaudan to place itself under the benevolence of the bishopric of Uzès. The lords of Castanet, with their lands extending to La Garde-Guérin, swore an oath to the bishop of Mende, their overlord. The land of Castanet, named after the Occitan "chataîgner", is a stopover for pilgrims from the Massif Central, treading the Régordane path towards the abbey of Saint-Gilles. It is also the link between Mende and Villefort, via the Soteirana, winding through the valleys of the Lot and the Altier.

At the time, vacationing in Génolhac was a popular activity for city dwellers in search of nature and rest. The town, located in the heart of the Cévennes, offered an ideal setting for holidays, with its mountainous landscapes, rivers and forests. Holidaymakers could stay in hotels, guesthouses or guestrooms. They could also rent cottages or holiday homes. The activities offered were varied, with hiking, swimming, fishing, horse riding, canoeing, etc. The holiday in Génolhac was a way for city dwellers to recharge their batteries and enjoy nature. It was also an opportunity to discover the culture and traditions of the Cévennes.

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Former resort hotel with a garden on the banks of the Allier River, L'Etoile Guesthouse is located in La Bastide-Puylaurent, between Lozère, Ardèche, and the Cévennes in the mountains of southern France. At the crossroads of the GR®7, GR®70 Stevenson Trail, GR®72, GR®700 Regordane Way (St Gilles), GR®470 Sources and Gorges of the Allier, GRP® Cévenol, Montagne Ardéchoise, Margeride, and many day loop hikes. Ideal for a relaxing and hiking stay.

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