You can tour round and see its Romanesque
churches, chapels, arcaded bell-towers, ruined castles and typical
villages – La Margeride has many pleasant itineraries for lovers of
old stone and peace and quiet in a protected environment.
C1
Le
Malzieu
Beside the Truyère, Le Malzieu is a fortified town of the
Middle Ages where many vestiges remain and have been restored.
Its architectural heritage includes ancient dwellings, towers
and ramparts, all of them carefully enhanced.
The
town invites you to stroll round its narrow streets, its great
square dungeon, the Tour de Bodon with its battlements and the
Tour de Thaler with its line of walls. There are many
amenities for tourists: hotels, restaurants, holiday village,
pools, fishing, etc. and a cheesemonger where you can stock up
on local specialities.
D3
Châteauneuf-de-Randon
This is one
of the most beautiful villages in the Lozère. Perched up on
top of a granite hill at 1286 metres, it overlooks the region
and has an authentic architectural framework.
The
huge square paved in the old way is a sight worth seeing. On
the fairground is a monumental bronze statue of Duguesclin,
hero of the Hundred Years War and who died in
Châteauneuf-de-Randon in 1380.
The
Tour des Anglais
is the only remaining vestige of the castle.
E2 Langogne The 18th century market hall where
the corn market was held has a slate roof and timbers
supported by fourteen stone pillars.
Lovers of old
stone can amble round the streets and boule-vards and spy out
old doors, splendid examples of mediaeval buildings and a 10th
century Romanesque church.
Right next to
Langogne is the great mountain lake of Naussac in a setting of
greenery. Water-based amenities for tourists, hotel
accommodation, gîtes and campsites.
Pay a visit to
the Calquières spinning mill, a living reminder of the old
wool industry with its looms which are still powered by the
waters of Langouyron.
C3
Rieutort-de-Randon
a typical village by the ridges of the Margeride and the lake
of Charpal.
B2
Fournels
a
granite village tucked into the valley of the Bédaule
overlooked by the castle of Brion. Don’t miss the church
with its arcaded bell-tower.
B2
Saint-Chély
d’Apcher
A little industrial town of
Lozère, specialising in the manufacture of directed
electrical steel (visit the metallurgy museum, Tel: 04 66 31
29 38), Saint-Chély also
lives by trade and services. Sights to see are the town walls
and bell tower.
C2
Saint-Alban
was originally an early 13th century feudal fortress. Pay a
visit to the Romanesque church. The town was crossed by
pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela and now has a
reputed psychiatric hospital. Paul-Eluard-stayed here. In the
beautifully restored Renaissance castle you really should take
a look at the inner courtyard.
Other sights
The
archaeological site of Javols,
Gallo-Roman capital
of Gabale (Gévaudan).The city was destroyed in the 13th
century. Two centuries of excavation have revealed a great
many artefacts, including a marble Bacchus, fragments of works
of art, vestiges of thermae, columns, etc.
You can see
them at the museum of Javols opened in 1998, Tel: 04 66 42
87 24.
Credits
: www.lozere-tourisme.com
