Discovery, Outdoors and Nature

Activities at the Filature

Large salt water pool (9.5×4.5 m) heated from May until September, with a shower and numerous sun beds. The pool is shared between the four gîtes and fenced for safety. Open from 9am until 9pm.

The flowery and shaded garden, offers you the opportunity to relax and read or play badminton with the children (we provide the badminton equipment). Each gîte has its private garden area with parasol arbour, picnic table and barbecue.

River bathing in the “Gardon” is accessible on foot from the gîtes, with a pebble beach and also a small sandy beach, shaded in places. There are a number of other bathing places close by on the Gardon river, some of which are overseen by professional lifeguards (at Saumane and Les Plantiers, 3kms and 9 kms away, respectively).

Large games room (100 m2) with billiards, table football and ping pong.
Numerous board games for all ages as well as card games at your disposition.
A small library where you will find novels, books about the Cévennes and the region plus all documents provided by the Tourist Office including local cultural and musical events, discovery days, local farm visits and artist and craft workshops.

And in the village :

  • A bakery/general store where you can buy Nathaniel’s famous almond tuile biscuits.
  • A restaurant-bar open at lunch and dinner time, in the summer season and in the evening every weekend (off-season). The « Auberge » serves locally inspired cuisine at a very affordable price or you can stop off to share a beer or wine in their vine covered trellised garden.
  • A post office open every morning weekdays
  • A painter who has a studio in the village and offers remarkable studies of the Cévennes
Outdoor activities

Rambling and walking : There are many rambling routes in the area for both beginners and the more experienced & long distance ramblers, including the celebrated Chemin du Stevenson trail (following Robert Louis Stevenson’s trek through the Cévennes, recounted in his tale « Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes « 1879).
At the Filature we provide a host of information for you to consult and use including IGN maps (French version of Ordnance Survey Maps) and Topoguides (walks with a theme e.g. visiting local menhirs, nature themes, socio-cultural themes) to help you plan and enjoy your outing. There are three circular way-marked walks starting close to the Filature. It is also possible to organise accompanied and themed walks if you fancy learning more about the area or the local and diverse flora and fauna found in the vicinity.

Nature : Sandrine can organise outings in nature with local guides taking you on a beaver trail, for example or to hear (and maybe see) red deer rutting in the Autumn.

Canyoning : For more sporty types and lovers of thrills why not try a spot of canyoning, 3 kms from the gîtes, at the Gorges du Soucy ? You will be accompanied by a guide who leads you along the stunning river Gardon, burnished with polished white granite boulders and waterfalls. You will be able to slip and swim in the clear water, slide down waterfalls or even jump into the crystal pools from on high (not obligatory !). An afternoon with your feet in the water. All equipment, except trainers, provided. An unforgettable experience !

Fungus forays and Chestnut Foraging : Autumn is the ideal season to pick wild mushrooms and forage for chestnuts which abound in the area. Another enticing reason to come and spend a weekend in the Cévennes foraging for your evening feast !

Accro-branche parks : Close by and suitable for the whole family. Spend a morning climbing high in the trees, swinging from ropes and wobbling your way across rope bridges, this should give you an appetite for a peaceful siesta or afternoon lazing by the pool to recover !

Cycling groups : Choose the Filature as a departure point for numerous daily cycle trails and discover or rediscover, by the Col St. Pierre, the celebrated Corniche des Cévennes or the many other mythical mountain passes of Mont Aigoual and Mont Lozère. Locked garage of 100m2 available. Group visits possible all year except for July and August. Night in a gîte plus evening meal. Group tariff (up to 12 people) available on demand.

Motorcycle groups : Whether for a stopover in a predetermined circuit on our winding Cévenol roads (Vallée des Camisards, Vallée Borgne, Corniches des Cévennes…) or just crossing this beautiful landscape, the Filature offers you a secure garage and a gourmet evening meal carefully made with local produce. Group visits possible all year except for July and August. Night in a gîte plus evening meal. Group tariff (up to 12 people) available on demand.

Fishing friends : First and second category fishing in the two Gardon rivers of Saint Jean du Gard and Mialet. Fishing permits and guides available at l’Agricole Saint Jeannaise, 24 rue Pelet de la Lozère à Saint Jean du Gard.

Other sites not to miss

La Bambouseraie at Anduze : a historical bamboo garden served by the local steam train
http://www.bambouseraie.fr/

Old fashioned steam train serving St Jean du Gard, La Bambouserie and Anduze
http://www.trainavapeur.com/

Museum of the Vallées Cévenoles at the Maison Rouge, St Jean du Gard (re-opening soon)
http://www.cevennes-tourisme.fr/

Savonnerie des Cévennes
http://www.savonneriedescevennes.com/