In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationOccitanie / Lozère
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AgeFrom 14 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions68.76 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Embark on an adventure with complete freedom thanks to a selection of self-guided hikes designed for those who want to explore at their own pace. This trip invites you to discover the region's natural and cultural treasures : deep forests , hidden valleys , elusive wildlife , preserved flora , and authentic heritage will mark your route. Following carefully chosen trails, you'll enjoy total immersion in wild landscapes , far from the hustle and bustle, in a soothing atmosphere. This experience is ideal for lovers of wide-open spaces and disconnecting from the everyday, with a new stage to explore each day according to your desires and rhythm. Far from the crowds, you'll find serenity and wonder here, with the security of a well-marked and prepared route. Treat yourself to a breath of fresh air , moments of contemplation , and the pleasure of walking alone, as a couple, or with friends, in one of the most beautiful protected natural settings. An intimate and deeply restorative adventure.
The highlights
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Discovering the Cévennes National Park
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Wide variety of landscape
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All-inclusive stay
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
Management
We now offer our hiking trails in digital format. A few days before your arrival, we will send you the information you need to download the hiking app to your smartphone, along with the 10 digital hikes we have prepared. Maps will also be provided each day, depending on your chosen hike.
Program
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Day 1 Welcome
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Accommodation in the small Lozère village of Bagnols-les-Bains, at the foot of Mont Lozère, in a "Logis de France" hotel. Welcome, presentation of the stay over a welcome drink and dinner at the accommodation.
Day 1 -
Days 2 to 6
- Activity Hiking
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Daily hikes in the northernmost part of the Cévennes National Park, at the crossroads of diverse landscapes: the upper Lot Valley and the Mont Lozère massif, the Margeride, the Tarn gorges, and the Causses. Our region encompasses, within a small area, a concentration of different and varied landscapes, thanks to the complex geology and the centuries of human presence that have shaped them. You will thus have the privilege of discovering and exploring an exceptional, preserved territory, endowed with a unique and renowned historical, cultural, scenic, and environmental richness.
Each day, you'll set off independently (without a guide) on one of the ten hikes we've prepared for you, accessible via the Road Book For Discovery app, which you can download for free to your smartphone. During the hike, your phone becomes a GPS and guidebook (it even works offline).
An IGN 1/25000th map and a paper road book will be provided to you each day, as well as a good picnic.
In the evening, the chef will prepare a refined and tasty cuisine, made up of regional recipes.
Days 2 to 6 -
End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast.
Day 7
Note
Daily hikes in the northernmost part of the Cévennes National Park, at the crossroads of diverse landscapes: the upper Lot Valley and the Mont Lozère massif, the Margeride, the Tarn gorges, and the Causses. Our region encompasses, within a small area, a concentration of different and varied landscapes, thanks to the complex geology and the centuries of human presence that have shaped them. You will thus have the privilege of discovering and exploring an exceptional, preserved territory, endowed with a unique and renowned historical, cultural, scenic, and environmental richness.
Each day, you'll set off independently (without a guide) on one of the ten hikes we've prepared for you, accessible via the Road Book For Discovery app, which you can download for free to your smartphone. During the hike, your phone becomes a GPS and guidebook (it even works offline).
A 1/25000th IGN map and a paper road book will be provided to you each day, as well as a good picnic.
Accommodation
Hotel** Les Chemins Francis: you will be accommodated in a double, twin, or triple room. Solo travelers can be grouped together in a twin room with two beds at no extra charge, or in a single room for an additional fee (€200). Simply let us know your preference when booking.
A family saga that began in… 1933. Our hotel, accommodations and our stays in Lozère take their name from the concept created by my father and my uncle.
My great-grandparents founded the hotel in the 1930s; my grandparents expanded it; the two Francises and their wives further developed it and gave their name to our family-run hiking holiday organization. Two houses now comprise the world of Chemins Francis, separated by the Lot River, in the heart of the village of Bagnols-les-Bains .
Access
Go to the starting point
A free shuttle service between the train station and the hotel (round trip) is provided. Please let us know your arrival time in advance.
By train:
Bagnols - Chadenet station, Marvejols - La Bastide - Saint-Laurent-les-Bains line.
(Connections with the Paris/Clermont/Nîmes and Paris/Clermont/Béziers lines).
Correspondence
Free transfer Bagnols train station - Chadenet / Hotel.
Please inform the hotel directly of your arrival in advance. 04 66 47 60 04
By train / Access station: Bagnols-Chadenet (stop)
Please note that when departing from Paris, SNCF systematically offers the TGV via Nîmes. There is another option via Clermont-Ferrand through La Bastide/Saint-Laurent-les-Bains (you may need to insist!). Get off at the Bagnols-Chadenet SNCF train station (arrivals around 3 pm and 5 pm). A free shuttle service between the station and the hotel (round trip) is provided. Please let us know your arrival time in advance.
2024 TIMETABLES Via Nîmes TGV
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Go 1
Paris Gare de Lyon / 07:52
Nîmes / 11:34 / Departure 12:14
Bagnols-Chadenet / 3:07 PM
Go 2
Paris Gare de Lyon / 09:42
Nîmes / 12:42 / Departure 14:21
La Bastide 4:10 PM Departure 4:15 PM
Bagnols-Chadenet / 5:02 PM
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Or Return 1
Bagnols-Chadenet / 12:14
Nîmes / 3:04 PM / Departure 3:19 PM
Lyon Part Dieu 4:49 PM / Departure 5:04 PM
Paris Gare de Lyon / 7:00 PM
Or Back 2
Bagnols-Chadenet / 12:14
Nîmes / 3:04 PM / Departure 5:19 PM
Paris Gare de Lyon / 8:18 PM
By Clermont-Ferrand
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Go 1
Paris Gare de Bercy / 9:42
Clermont-Ferrand / 12:27 / Departure 12:56
The bastide/4:06 PM Departure 4:15 PM BUS
Bagnols Chadenet 5:02 PM
Or Go 2
Paris Gare de Bercy / 1:00 PM
Clermont-Ferrand / 4:27 PM / Departure 4:50 PM
Mende / 7:45 PM Free shuttle from train station to hotel (15 min)
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Back 1
Free shuttle departure from Mende hotel / 9:50 am
Clermont-Ferrand / 1:00 PM / Departure 1:33 PM
Paris Bercy / 4:57 PM
Or Back 2
Bagnols Chadenet 09:03
La Bastide St Laurent les Bains 9:55/ 10:03
Clermont-Ferrand / 1:17 PM / Departure 1:33 PM
Paris Bercy / 4:57 PM
Access
By car:
From Paris, take the A71 to Clermont-Ferrand. Then take the A75 to exit 34. Next, take the N106 to Mende and the N88 towards Langogne - Le Puy. 10 km after Mende, take the D901 towards Villefort to Bagnols. Michelin map 240, fold 3.
Parking: at the hotel parking lot.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in double or twin rooms with shower and WC, television, telephone.
- Full board (buffet breakfast, lunch or picnic, dinner).
- The provision of maps, and the digital application Road Book for Discovery including 10 hiking guidebooks.
- Access to hotel facilities, including the relaxation area (heated indoor pool, sauna, hot tub).
- A welcome drink upon arrival on day 1, a tasting meal featuring aligot.
The price does not include
- Drinks and tourist tax €1.00/day/person).
- The single room supplement.
- Wellness services.
Options
- Walker's body sculpting 30 min : CHF36.59 / unit
- Foot relaxation massage (20 min) : CHF25.61 / unit
- 1-hour candle massage : CHF73.18 / unit
- 30-minute back or front massage : CHF36.59 / unit
- 20-minute localized massage : CHF25.61 / unit
- 1-hour hot stone massage : CHF73.18 / unit
- 1-hour Californian massage : CHF73.18 / unit
- SINGLE : CHF182.96 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Towels and bath towels
- Picnic box and cutlery
Equipment to bring
- Backpack,
- Hiking shoes
- Hat/cap and sunglasses
- Pocket knife
- Water bottle or thermos
- Small personal pharmacy
- Elastoplast for blister prevention
- Dressings
- Sunscreen
Clothing to bring
- Hiking at altitude between 900 and 1699 m, bring warm clothing and windproof/waterproof jacket (depending on the season), the perceived temperature on the plateaus can be cold.
- A sun hat or cap
- A scarf
- A beanie and/or headband
- T-shirts (1 for every 2 or 3 days of hiking). Avoid cotton, which takes a very long time to dry; opt for short-sleeved t-shirts (breathable material) made of Capilène (Patagonia), Dryflo (Lowe Alpine), Light Effect (Odlo), etc.
- A base layer (same remarks as above) or long-sleeved shirt
- A fleece fur jacket
- Shorts or Bermuda shorts
- Trekking trousers
- Comfortable trousers for the evening
- A simple and lightweight Gore-tex style jacket.
- A rain cape (optional)
- Waterproof over-trousers (optional)
- A swimsuit
- Underwear
- Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of hiking). Avoid "tennis" type socks (cotton), which take a very long time to dry and have a high risk of blisters; opt instead for those made with Coolmax, for example.
- A pair of hiking boots that provide good ankle support (Vibram-type sole)
