The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape, Mediterranean agro-pastoral landscape in southern Massif Central, France
The Causses and Cevennes form a landscape of limestone plateaus, valleys, and mountains spanning four departments in southern France. The area combines agricultural lands, grazing grounds, and natural rock formations into a cohesive whole shaped by centuries of farming and herding practices.
Monastic orders transformed the landscape between the 12th and 14th centuries by building irrigation systems and roads to support farming. These early infrastructure projects made permanent settlement possible and continue to influence how the land is organized.
The practice of moving flocks between seasonal pastures shapes life in the region, with shepherds following ancient paths that connect highland and lowland areas. This tradition ties local communities to the land's seasonal patterns and remains central to how people use these spaces today.
Visitors can explore the landscape through a network of hiking trails that connect stone villages, terraced farms, and natural rock formations. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when the trails are accessible and the weather remains mild.
The region still operates medieval water systems, including roof cisterns and underground channels that irrigate stone terraces at local farms. These working historical installations reveal how people have managed scarce water for generations in this dry landscape.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
