The Often Overlooked Cause Mejean
Most people either return home after a day spent in the Tarn gorge, or continue downriver, deeper into the Tarn gorge. They have no idea what they are missing. Towering above them, unseen, is a fascinating part of the Cevennes national park: the Cause Mejean.
Causes are vast plateaus that offer stunning scenery. They are wild and rugged, and sparsely populated. And that is precisely where their appeal lies.
Why head back to Florac the way you came? You can add some adventure to your visit by returning via the Cause Méjean.
Cross the bridge in Sainte Enimie, and you will soon became aware that the road becomes steep. And then steeper. And then steeper yet. And then it begins to narrow.
But the views!
Near the top, where the road levels off, there is a viewpoint on the right. A small snack stand (often closed) offers a bit of parking. Follow the trail to the belvedere and try to beat pack the waves of vertigo as you look, seemingly straight down, to the village of St. Chely du Tarn. (The photo does it no justice whatsoever.)
And then you find yourself on top of the world.
It’s just gorgeous. The land spreads far and wide. There seem to be more sheep than people.
Carpets of wildflowers spread far and wide. Purple.
Yellow.
You will pass massive farm houses, their rugged exteriors testifying to how raw and rugged the winters are on the causes. The wind howls and the snow flies, and the people hunker down and await the coming of more clement weather. But in a rough way, it’s all very beautiful.
A single road bisects the cause Méjean and leads the way back to Florac. But what goes up must come down, and before your adventure is over, you are treated to a vertiginous descent.