# Gorges du Tarn A canyon between the limestone plateaux of the Causse Méjean and the Causse de Sauveterre: stone villages beside the river, canoeing on calm water and viewpoints. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/occitanie/tarn-gorges · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## What are the gorges like? The Tarn runs hemmed in between two limestone plateaux, the Causse Méjean to the south and the Causse de Sauveterre to the north. Above there is a dry landscape of pasture and sheep; below, a green river with pebble beaches, chestnut trees and stone villages stuck to the rock. According to the tourist office, the canyon is over 65 km long, from Ispagnac and Quézac to Le Rozier. It forms part of the agro-pastoral landscape of the Causses and the Cévennes, a World Heritage Site since 2011, and since 2024 the gorges of the Tarn and the Jonte and the causses have been a Grand Site de France. A road runs along the bottom of the canyon, between short tunnels and narrow stretches, and passes through all the villages. It is slow: expect to go slowly and stop often. ## Which village should I choose as a base? Sainte-Enimie, halfway along the gorge, is the biggest and most visited: a medieval village that slopes down to the bridge over the Tarn, with shops, cafés and several canoe companies. The streets are steep and cobbled. La Malène, downriver, is the village of the boatmen. From here leave the boats that go down through Les Détroits, the narrowest stretch of the canyon, to the Cirque des Baumes, a rock amphitheatre. Saint-Chély-du-Tarn and Castelbouc are small: houses over the water and, at Castelbouc, a ruined castle perched above the village. Le Rozier, at the end, is where the Tarn meets the Jonte. It is the base for the Jonte gorges and for going up to the causses. ## Which stretch do I canoe? The canoe is the way to see the canyon, and you don't need experience on the calm stretches. The companies hire you the boat with a life jacket and pick you up at the end by bus to take you back to the start. Stretches published by the tourist office: From Castelbouc to Sainte-Enimie or from La Malène to the Cirque des Baumes: 7–8 km, about 2 hours. These are the ones for families and beginners. From Castelbouc to La Malène: 20 km, about 5 hours, passing through the villages. From Sainte-Enimie to the Pas de Soucy: 23 km, about 6 hours. From Les Vignes to Le Rozier: 11 km, 2 to 3 hours. It is the most technical, and in spring, if there is water, you go down by rafting. For those who want to sleep on the river, there are two-day descents from Quézac and three-day ones from Montbrun. If you would rather not paddle, at La Malène the boatmen take the boat through Les Détroits while telling you the history of the canyon. ## Which viewpoints shouldn't I miss? Go up to the rims at least once: the canyon seen from above is another thing. The Point Sublime, on the Causse de Sauveterre, looks out over the Cirque des Baumes. The Roc des Hourtous, on the Causse Méjean, drops sheer over Les Détroits. The Domaine des Boissets looks down on Sainte-Enimie from above and the Saltadou, onto the cirque of Saint-Chély. The roads that climb are narrow with tight bends. ## What else is nearby? The Jonte gorges, which leave Le Rozier towards Meyrueis, are narrower and wilder, with walls where vultures nest: the Maison des Vautours, above the canyon, explains their reintroduction. Beneath the Causse Méjean there are great visitable chasms, such as the Aven Armand. And to the west, a good hour away, the Millau Viaduct crosses the Tarn valley on the A75. ## How do you get there from Spain? By car, on the A9 to Béziers and the A75, which is free except for the toll at the Millau Viaduct. For Sainte-Enimie, the most practical exit is 40, La Canourgue; 39, Le Monastier, and 39.1, Chanac, also work. Without a car it can be done, but you must plan it: the nearest stations are Banassac–La Canourgue, 25 km from Sainte-Enimie, Mende and Millau. In July and August, nine shuttle lines link Mende, Millau, Florac, Sainte-Enimie and Meyrueis with the villages of the gorges for €2 a trip, and some carry bikes. ## Dónde está - Zonas: Massif Central - Cerca: Bouzigues (a 104.1 km) ## Qué hacer - **By boat with the La Malène boatmen through Les Détroits** (1 h · 8 km · All ages, babies too · Desde 27 € per person): The La Malène boatmen take you downstream with oars and a pole through Les Détroits, where the walls close in over the river, to the Cirque des Baumes, telling the story of the canyon. An hour, about 8 km, and a minibus back. Effortless and with no minimum age: the way to see the prettiest stretch without paddling. - **Canoe from Castelbouc to Sainte-Enimie** (2 h · 6 km · Beginners and families; children aged 6 to 10 in a three-person canoe · Desde 19 € single kayak): You set off from the foot of the Castelbouc campsite, with the semi-troglodyte village and its ruined castle above, pass Prades and reach Sainte-Enimie in about two unhurried hours. It is the calmest and least crowded part of the gorges, with pebble beaches for swimming. If you want more, Sainte-Enimie – La Malène is 13 km and four hours. - **Sainte-Enimie, the medieval village above the Tarn** (1 h 30 · All ages; with a pushchair, difficult): The biggest village in the gorges, halfway down the canyon: a medieval village that slopes down to the bridge over the Tarn, with shops, cafés and canoe departures. The streets are steep and cobbled. Arrive early in summer to park. - **Point Sublime, the viewpoint over the Cirque des Baumes** (30 min · All ages): Go up to the edge of the plateaus at least once: from the Point Sublime, on the Causse de Sauveterre, you see the Cirque des Baumes and Les Détroits from above. The road up is narrow with tight bends. Opposite, on the Causse Méjean, the Roc des Hourtous drops sheer above Les Détroits. - **Castelbouc, houses on the water and a ruined castle** (45 min · All ages): A handful of houses stuck to the rock on the bank of the Tarn, with the ruined castle perched above. You cross the river by a bridge and can stroll round in no time. It is also the starting point for the canyon's calmest canoe trip. - **Gorges de la Jonte and the vultures** (3 h · All ages): From Le Rozier, where the Tarn receives the Jonte, the road climbs towards Meyrueis through a narrower, wilder canyon, with walls where vultures nest. The Maison des Vautours, above the canyon, explains their reintroduction. Beneath the Causse Méjean, nearby, there are large chasms you can visit, such as the Aven Armand. ## Dónde comer - **Auberge du Moulin** (Restaurant, Sainte-Enimie, €€). Qué pedir: The Causses lamb or the sirloin with roquefort sauce, after the house terrines. ## By car: From La Jonquera on the A75, free as far as the viaduct A9 to Béziers and the A75, toll-free except for the Millau viaduct; for Sainte-Enimie, exit 40, La Canourgue. The road along the bottom of the canyon is slow, with tunnels and narrow stretches: allow for going slowly. Presupuesto orientativo: 70–130 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Auberge du Moulin** (Hotel, desde 92 € / night): A family inn in Sainte-Enimie The Auberge du Moulin is a house of local stone in the centre of Sainte-Enimie, one of the prettiest villages in the gorges, run by the same family since 1976. It has three stars and ten rooms that look onto the Tarn and the garden or the village. From the door you go down to the river, the medieval streets and the canoe departures. The rooms All ten are different, with television, telephone and a bathroom with shower or bath. There is no adapted room. In 2026 the double with a village view cost €92 in April, €97 in May, June and September and €112 from 5 July to 31 August; there is a slightly dearer one with a terrace, and half board on request. There is a laundry service, high chair and cot on request. A canoe from the door At reception they book your canoe the day before with a hire company that comes to pick you up in front of the inn. Downstairs, the restaurant serves home-cooked Lozère food, on the terrace or by the fireplace. - **Camping Le Site de Castelbouc** (Campsite): A small campsite on the banks of the Tarn Le Site de Castelbouc is a small, family-run, two-star campsite at the foot of the ruined castle of Castelbouc, at the entrance to the Cévennes National Park. It has direct access to the river and its own pebble beach. It is the calmest part of the gorges, 7 km from Sainte-Enimie and 9 from Ispagnac, where the shops, doctor and pharmacy are. Pitches and accommodation There are 54 marked, shaded pitches for tent, caravan or motorhome, for up to six people, wheelchair accessible; 11 mobile homes for four to five people; two tipis, a hikers' cabin and a POD. Until the end of June and in September there is no need to book a pitch. Services and canoe They sell bread, pastries, ice cream and local products, and have a coin-operated washing machine and dryer and wifi near reception. The best thing is to set off by canoe from the campsite itself: the Découverte route reaches Sainte-Enimie in two hours. At reception there are walking route sheets. - **Huttopia Gorges du Tarn** (Campsite): A campsite on the riverbank Huttopia Gorges du Tarn is at the place called Le Beldoire, on the bank of the Tarn, with a view up to the top of the canyon and the Cévennes National Park alongside. It has three stars, 7 hectares and 121 pitches, and is open from early May to late September. You can swim in the river or in the heated pool. Pitches and accommodation You can come with a tent, caravan or motorhome, with comfort pitches on the riverbank, or rent fully equipped wooden cabins and wood-and-canvas tents. The website indicates access for people with reduced mobility. Services Café, bar, breakfast and restaurant, heated pool, children's club and a programme of activities and evenings in season; each service has its own dates on the website. From here you set off by canoe or to go canyoning on the river and walking in the Cévennes. ### Servicios - **Cévennes Gorges du Tarn Tourist Office**: Information on canoeing, viewpoints, villages, transport and summer shuttles in the gorges ## Camping: A tent on the banks of the Tarn The gorges are camping country: shaded pitches beside the river, swimming from pebble beaches and canoes setting off from the shore. Presupuesto orientativo: 40–70 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're camping - **Camping Le Site de Castelbouc** (Campsite): A small campsite on the banks of the Tarn Le Site de Castelbouc is a small, family-run, two-star campsite at the foot of the ruined castle of Castelbouc, at the entrance to the Cévennes National Park. It has direct access to the river and its own pebble beach. It is the calmest part of the gorges, 7 km from Sainte-Enimie and 9 from Ispagnac, where the shops, doctor and pharmacy are. Pitches and accommodation There are 54 marked, shaded pitches for tent, caravan or motorhome, for up to six people, wheelchair accessible; 11 mobile homes for four to five people; two tipis, a hikers' cabin and a POD. Until the end of June and in September there is no need to book a pitch. Services and canoe They sell bread, pastries, ice cream and local products, and have a coin-operated washing machine and dryer and wifi near reception. The best thing is to set off by canoe from the campsite itself: the Découverte route reaches Sainte-Enimie in two hours. At reception there are walking route sheets. - **Huttopia Gorges du Tarn** (Campsite): A campsite on the riverbank Huttopia Gorges du Tarn is at the place called Le Beldoire, on the bank of the Tarn, with a view up to the top of the canyon and the Cévennes National Park alongside. It has three stars, 7 hectares and 121 pitches, and is open from early May to late September. You can swim in the river or in the heated pool. Pitches and accommodation You can come with a tent, caravan or motorhome, with comfort pitches on the riverbank, or rent fully equipped wooden cabins and wood-and-canvas tents. The website indicates access for people with reduced mobility. Services Café, bar, breakfast and restaurant, heated pool, children's club and a programme of activities and evenings in season; each service has its own dates on the website. From here you set off by canoe or to go canyoning on the river and walking in the Cévennes. ## By campervan: A motorhome at the bottom of the canyon, taking it slowly The road along the bottom has short tunnels and narrow stretches; the ones up to the viewpoints have tight bends. Sleep at a campsite and move the motorhome as little as possible. Presupuesto orientativo: 40–70 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir in a campervan - **Camping Le Site de Castelbouc** (Campsite): A small campsite on the banks of the Tarn Le Site de Castelbouc is a small, family-run, two-star campsite at the foot of the ruined castle of Castelbouc, at the entrance to the Cévennes National Park. It has direct access to the river and its own pebble beach. It is the calmest part of the gorges, 7 km from Sainte-Enimie and 9 from Ispagnac, where the shops, doctor and pharmacy are. Pitches and accommodation There are 54 marked, shaded pitches for tent, caravan or motorhome, for up to six people, wheelchair accessible; 11 mobile homes for four to five people; two tipis, a hikers' cabin and a POD. Until the end of June and in September there is no need to book a pitch. Services and canoe They sell bread, pastries, ice cream and local products, and have a coin-operated washing machine and dryer and wifi near reception. The best thing is to set off by canoe from the campsite itself: the Découverte route reaches Sainte-Enimie in two hours. At reception there are walking route sheets. - **Huttopia Gorges du Tarn** (Campsite): A campsite on the riverbank Huttopia Gorges du Tarn is at the place called Le Beldoire, on the bank of the Tarn, with a view up to the top of the canyon and the Cévennes National Park alongside. It has three stars, 7 hectares and 121 pitches, and is open from early May to late September. You can swim in the river or in the heated pool. Pitches and accommodation You can come with a tent, caravan or motorhome, with comfort pitches on the riverbank, or rent fully equipped wooden cabins and wood-and-canvas tents. The website indicates access for people with reduced mobility. Services Café, bar, breakfast and restaurant, heated pool, children's club and a programme of activities and evenings in season; each service has its own dates on the website. From here you set off by canoe or to go canyoning on the river and walking in the Cévennes. ## As a family: Calm river, boat trips and pebble beaches The gorges are among the best river getaways for a family: canoe stretches with no rapids, boat trips with no minimum age and swimming from pebble beaches. ### What works best Canoe from Castelbouc to Sainte-Enimie, 6 km, with the child in the middle of the canoe La Malène boat through Les Détroits, no minimum age Sainte-Enimie and Castelbouc, on foot The Point Sublime, with no walking ### Where to stay Camping Le Site de Castelbouc, with its own beach Huttopia Gorges du Tarn, with a pool and children's club ### Where to eat Children's menu at the Auberge du Moulin ### Bear in mind In a canoe, always wear a life jacket The streets of Sainte-Enimie are not for pushchairs ### Qué hacer as a family - By boat with the La Malène boatmen through Les Détroits - Canoe from Castelbouc to Sainte-Enimie - Sainte-Enimie, the medieval village above the Tarn - Point Sublime, the viewpoint over the Cirque des Baumes - Castelbouc, houses on the water and a ruined castle - Gorges de la Jonte and the vultures ## With young children: A boat for the littlest ones With small children, the La Malène boat is the way to see the canyon: even babies come aboard and there is no rowing to do. ### What works best La Malène boat, an hour, no minimum age Three-person canoe with the child in the middle, ages 6 to 10 Swimming at the Castelbouc campsite beach ### Where to stay Huttopia Gorges du Tarn, with play areas and a children's club ### Where to eat Auberge du Moulin, in Sainte-Enimie ### Bear in mind A baby carrier is better than a pushchair Tell them when you book the boat if you are bringing a baby ### Qué hacer with young children - By boat with the La Malène boatmen through Les Détroits - Canoe from Castelbouc to Sainte-Enimie - Sainte-Enimie, the medieval village above the Tarn ## Consejos ### Book the canoe the day before in summer In July and August the morning departures fill up, especially at weekends. ### Start the canoe early First thing there are fewer boats on the water and the sun is not yet fierce on the unshaded stretches. ### Bring a dry bag For your phone, keys and something warm. Even if the stretch is calm, you are going to get wet. ### Go up to a viewpoint at the end of the afternoon With the low sun, light enters the canyon and you see the river from the Point Sublime or the Roc des Hourtous. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How many days do I need? Two days: one on the river, by canoe or boat, and another for the viewpoints and a village. With three you add the Jonte and its vultures. ### Is it hard to go down by canoe? Not on the 7–8 km stretches, of about two hours, that the tourist office suggests for families and beginners. The one from Les Vignes to Le Rozier is more technical. ### Do they pick you up at the end of the descent? Yes. The hire companies take you back by bus to the starting point. On the Castelbouc to Sainte-Enimie stretch you can also walk back along the left-bank path. ### Can I go without a car? With patience. In July and August there are shuttles at €2 from Mende, Millau and Florac. The rest of the year buses are few and it pays to hire a car. ### Is the motorway a toll road? The A75 is free from Clermont-Ferrand to Béziers. You only pay for the Millau Viaduct. ### When is the best time to go? From May to September. June and September have the river calm and warm; in spring there is more flow and in August, more people.