Cevennes Mountains In France: Islands Of Silence

The Cevennes, in the south eastern corner of the Massif Central, is one of those hidden corners of France that is still well off the beaten track even today.

The Cevennes National Park is the second largest park in France and is a walkers paradise, with granite mountains, vast limestone plateaux, beech forests, caves and river gorges.

The Cevennes is characterised by limestone tablelands (the Grand Causses), often called the "Islands of Silence" by the french. Although they aren't really silent - they are alive with the sounds of birds and sheep bells!

The Cevennes is a great destination if you love the outdoors, with lots of activities like canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, horse riding, gliding, fishing and cycling.

Hiking is extremely popular here, with over 1,800 km of marked trails that follow old shepherds paths. You can even take the "Sentier Stevenson" and follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevensons who travelled here with his donkey, Modestine (in fact you can even hire a donkey and do the same!).

The park has around 2,000 plant species as well as eagle owls, griffon vultures and 45 kinds of mammals.

The best way to reach the Cevennes mountains is to fly to Nimes and then rent a holiday home or gite.

You will need to either bring your car or hire one.