Grands Causses, Regional natural park in Aveyron, France
Grands Causses is a protected natural park in southern France featuring vast limestone plateaus carved by rivers into dramatic gorges. The terrain consists of open highlands broken by deep canyons where steep rock walls drop sharply between the level surfaces above.
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with stone burial monuments and settlements scattered throughout the region. Medieval buildings and fortifications were later added, marking different eras of human presence.
Shepherding communities here have shaped the land for centuries through their work with sheep that graze across the plateaus. This practice connects to the production of a famous cheese and remains visible in how people use the open spaces.
Several visitor centers and accommodations are located throughout the area, providing good starting points for outdoor activities and exploration. The warmer months offer the best conditions for visiting, with reliable weather and full access to trails and gorges.
The rock cliffs serve as nesting sites for large birds of prey that have adapted to living in the narrow canyons. Spotting these birds circling above the gorges is a memorable moment that many visitors encounter unexpectedly.
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