National park · France
Cévennes National ParkParc national des Cévennes
Visit Cévennes National Park: spend a half‑day on the Mount Aigoual 4,000‑step hike (start before 10:00, entry €6) or a full‑day trek on the Causse Méjean loop (7 km (4.3 mi), moderate, guide optional) in May–Oct; avoid July‑August heat and weekend crowds.Visit Cévennes National Park: spend a half‑day on the Mount Aigoual 4,000‑step hike (start before 10:00 AM, entry €6) or a full‑day trek on the Causse Méjean loop (7 km (4.3 mi), moderate, guide optional) in May–Oct; avoid July‑August heat and weekend crowds.Visit Cévennes National Park: spend a half‑day on the Mount Aigoual 4,000‑step hike (start before 10:00, entry €6) or a full‑day trek on the Causse Méjean loop (4.3 mi (7 km), moderate, guide optional) in May–Oct; avoid July‑August heat and weekend crowds.Visit Cévennes National Park: spend a half‑day on the Mount Aigoual 4,000‑step hike (start before 10:00 AM, entry €6) or a full‑day trek on the Causse Méjean loop (4.3 mi (7 km), moderate, guide optional) in May–Oct; avoid July‑August heat and weekend crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
938 km² (362 sq mi)362 sq mi (938 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Area
- 938 km² (362 sq mi)362 sq mi (938 km²)
- Official park area includes parts of Lozère, Gard, Ardèche and Aveyron.
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Cévennes National Park spans four departments in southern France, protecting alpine, Mediterranean and forest ecosystems. It is part of the UNESCO‑listed Causses and Cévennes cultural landscape and offers marked long‑distance routes like the GR70, plus notable sites such as Mount Aigoual, the Gorges de la Jonte and the Cirque de Navacelles.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2011The Causses and the Cévennes Cultural Landscape.
Size and age
938 km² (362 sq mi)362 sq mi (938 km²) · national park since 1970
Official park area includes parts of Lozère, Gard, Ardèche and Aveyron.
Why go
- Diverse alpine, Mediterranean and forest habitats in a single protected area.
- Long‑distance marked trails like the GR70 (Robert Louis Stevenson Trail).
- Geological sites such as the Gorges de la Jonte and Cirque de Navacelles.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but dry; good for wildlife spotting.
- FebSimilar to Jan.
- MarSnow melt, trails opening.
- AprWildflowers, mild temps.
- MayPeak walking conditions.
- JunLong days, warm.
- JulHeat, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugHeat persists, crowds.
- SepCooler, fewer tourists.
- OctAutumn colours, comfortable.
- NovCool, some trail closures.
- DecCold, limited services.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden eagles, bearded vultureApr–Sep · Best seen from high viewpoints. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Brown bears (rare sightings)Jun–Aug · Check local reports. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Alpine newts, fire salamandersMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Alès
Take N106 north‑west into the park; follow signs to the visitor centre.
15–30 min by car
From Nîmes
Train to Alès (TER), then bus or car to the park gate.
1–1.5 h
From Paris
TGV to Nîmes (≈3 h), then regional train to Alès and car/bus to the park.
≈4.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre (Alès) | Information desk, maps, ticket office, short loops to Gorges de la Jonte. | Open daily, entry fee required. |
| Mount Aigoual | 4,000‑step hike to the observatory, panoramic views. | Open May–Nov; fee included in entry. |
| Causse Méjean | Plateau with limestone cliffs, GR70 trail sections. | Open year‑round; no fee beyond entry. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are central points for major attractions; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (visitor centre) | EUR 6 (≈ US$7) | person | Covers access to marked trails; check for seasonal discounts. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leashes in most zones; prohibited in wildlife refuges.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; wild camping prohibited.
- Firearms
- Hunting is prohibited within park boundaries.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authority.check
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins at visitor centres.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gîtes and chambres d'hôtes in Alès
Family‑run rooms, often with breakfast.
Near the park
Camping Le Vieux Pont
Designated site on the Causse Méjean plateau.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Sudden thunderstorms in summer medium
Getting lost on remote plateaus high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with parking.
- Short loops around Gorges de la Jonte have gentle paths.
- Longer hikes involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned gîtes; supports regional economy.
- Follow park guidelines on waste and fire.
- Use public transport or car‑share to the park entrance.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cévennes National Park?
The standard entry fee is €6 per adult, covering access to marked trails and the visitor centre.
What are the best hikes in Cévennes National Park?
Top hikes include the 4,000‑step climb to Mount Aigoual, sections of the GR70 Stevenson Trail, and the loop around the Gorges de la Jonte.
When is the best time to visit Cévennes National Park?
May to October offers mild weather and fully open trails; avoid July‑August heat if possible.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are permitted on leashes in most areas but banned in wildlife refuges and some sensitive zones.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Only in designated campsites; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Cévennes National Park
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