Mas Camargues

Description

This mas (farm) with its astonishing architecture is the starting-point for a path that plunges into the very particular atmosphere of the Upper Tarn plain. The very name of Camargues is intriguing in these uplands. Is it linked to the transhumance (the seasonal migration of livestock to and from mountain summer pastures) that has brought herds from the plains of Languedoc since time immemorial? Or is it a more precise reference to the estates in the Camargue (the wetland plains of the Rhône delta) first of the Knights Hospitaller and then of the Knights of Malta? From the Middle Ages onwards, this order certainly received many gifts of land on the Mont Lozère. Whatever its origins may be, the Mas Camargue is an agricultural estate of over 100 hectares that was very prosperous from the 17th century to the eve of the Great War. Plunge into the very particular atmosphere of the Upper Tarn plain on this path through a landscape that is emblematic of agro-pastoralism.

Difficulty

Official rating: very easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• In summer, the shepherds in this area use guard dogs to protect their flocks from potential predators. Whenever you see such dogs, stop to give them time to notice you. Stay calm, do not threaten them, do not stroke them, and keep your distance from the flock.
• Horse-riding or mountain-biking are not allowed on or adapted to discovery trails.

Getting there

Start: Depuis le parking, rejoindre le mas à pied, à 150 m, Pont de Montvert - Sud Mont Lozère (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/38047-Mas-Camargues). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 64 m, Parc national des Cévennes