81km bike tour at La Bastide-Puylaurent
Take the D6 road along the Allier River, passing through the villages of Les Huttes, Masméjean, the Château de Chabaleyret, Chabalier, Chasseradès, and Mirandol. Continue 1.1 km after Mirandol, then turn left onto the D120 towards L'Estampe. At the summit of the Goulet mountain, follow the D20, where you will enjoy magnificent views of Mont Lozère before a long descent to the D901 on the banks of the Lot, just 1 km from Le Bleymard. Turn left and follow the D901 along the Lot to the Col des Tribes, passing the hamlets of Rochettes Hautes and Basses, with the Château du Champ on your right, followed by Altier and Castanet. At the roundabout, turn left onto the D906 toward La Garde-Guérin. Just after this medieval village, turn right onto the old road—now converted into a greenway—which leads to the Rachas dam via Albespeyres. Rejoin the D906, turning right, cross Prévenchères to reach La Molette, then turn right onto the old abandoned road leading to the Pradillou roundabout. From there, turn left to reach La Bastide-Puylaurent.
Distance: 81 kmGuillaume Périer, originally from the village of L'Estampe, became the last Lord of L'Estampe and the final Baron of Mirandol. Born into a bourgeois family in 1720, he distinguished himself early on through his sharp intellect and brilliant business acumen. After working successfully as a lawyer, he transitioned into tax collection, eventually becoming a prominent tax farmer in Languedoc and Aquitaine. Thanks to his immense skill, he acquired vast lands and was named Baron of Mirandol in 1785. Périer held highly prestigious positions, including serving as an advisor to King Louis XVI, but the French Revolution of 1789 ruined his fortune and stripped him of his noble titles. He died in Paris in 1792 without leaving a direct heir. Despite the ravages of time, the Château de L'Estampe still retains traces of its past splendor. Known for his cunning, Périer is said to have once won an auction for the general farms by presenting heavy boxes supposedly filled with treasure—a clever ruse that only fueled his enduring legend. Today, the L'Estampe estate is lovingly preserved by a couple dedicated to maintaining this deeply historic site.
Mont Lozère, the highest point in the southeastern Massif Central, is a majestic granite mountain shaped over millennia by ancient glaciers and flowing rivers. It offers breathtaking panoramas stretching far across the Cévennes and the Causses. The region is steeped in rich history and heritage, with castles, Romanesque churches, and ancient ruins bearing witness to the rule of powerful lords and pivotal events such as the Wars of Religion, during which the Huguenots sought refuge here. Environmentally, Mont Lozère boasts remarkable biodiversity, heavily protected within the expansive Cévennes National Park. Its varied flora and fauna include red deer, black grouse, rare orchids, and countless species perfectly adapted to its diverse ecosystems of dense forests, open moors, peat bogs, and alpine meadows. The local economy thrives on eco-tourism, agriculture, and traditional crafts, drawing thousands of visitors each year. Mont Lozère also serves as a living sanctuary of cultural memory, proudly celebrating Occitan traditions, local festivals, and the age-old practice of transhumance—a high-altitude grazing tradition that helps preserve the ecosystem, which the famed writer Robert Louis Stevenson immortalized in his classic travelogue.
The Château du Champ, situated near the Altier River in the heart of the Cévennes National Park, is a remarkable historic monument distinguished by its pepper-pot turrets and formidable, massive architecture. Officially listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 1965, the origins of this striking castle date back to the 13th century, built upon an even older residential site. It was founded by the Altier family, whose internal tensions among co-lords led to the fortress's construction to guarantee their safety and independence. The d'Altier lineage continued until Delphine d'Altier, who, through strategic marriages with local nobility, established a powerful new branch of the family. In the 18th century, an alliance with the Budos family further amplified the prestige of the Borne d'Altier line. During the French Revolution, the castle was seized and its towering defenses were heavily damaged and razed, but it was later repurchased by a loyal family member. After passing through several generations over the centuries, it is now meticulously preserved by the Varin d'Ainvelle family.
The Château de Castanet, built in the 16th century, is a stunning historical vestige that proudly dominates the valley surrounding Villefort. Once the mighty stronghold of the Lords of Castanet, it served for centuries as a vital and safe relay for pilgrims traveling between Mende and Villefort. In 1572, Jacques d’Isarn de Villefort initiated the construction of the Castanet manor, which his descendants subsequently expanded and fortified. Over time, the d’Isarn family abandoned the fortress, and it changed hands multiple times before eventually becoming national property during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. The castle saw numerous owners over the centuries and very narrowly escaped total destruction in the 1950s due to a massive hydroelectric dam project on the lake. Saved and classified as a historical monument in 1964, it became a vibrant cultural venue, hosting acclaimed art and photography exhibitions. Despite suffering a severe and devastating fire in 2000, major restoration work allowed the castle to rise from the ashes and reopen in 2006. Today, it continues to welcome visitors, standing proudly as a magnificent testament to the rich local history of Lozère.
Copyright©etoile.fr