More intrepid travelers can leave their cars at La Malene and descend the narrows of Les Detroits by canoe.įrom Le Rozier it is possible to return to Florac across the high open plateau of the Causse Mejean, and rejoin the trail by taking the road from Florac, up the valley of the Mimente and so directly into the Cevennes at the Col de Jalcreste. Spectacular views across the Cevennes toward the distant blue of the Mediterranean.įlorac is a pretty place, full of hotels, and a good touring center for exploring the magnificent Gorges of the Tarn, which lie to the north and west and can be easily followed along the river to Le Rozier. There is no lack of accommodations, even here, often in small Logis de France hotels, and no visitor on the Stevenson Trail could possibly pass this way without spending at least one night at the monastery of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, and climbing to the top of the Goudet or Mont Lozere for

For all that, this is a beautiful country.

James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and the cathedral here contains another object of pilgrim veneration, the statue of our Lady of Le Puy, one of the rare Black Virgins of the Auvergne.įrom Le Monastier, the traveler would be well advised to take a day off the trail and travel east, into the beautiful country of the Ardeche, through the ski resort and walking center of Les Estables to two beautiful mountains, Mont Mezenc and the cone of the Gerbier de Jonc, worth visiting for themselves and for the views they offer over lovely country that lies all about.įollowing Stevenson`s trail to the south, it is the scenery that draws the eye, for this is not a major tourist area, and there are no popular, crowded attractions. Le Puy is one of the four starting places in France for the Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Le Monastier lies about 15 miles south of the city of Le Puy, a fascinating town noted for the several sharp hills or ''puys'' that dominate the city. It would be feasible to drive the total distance of Stevenson`s journey in well under a day, but those who wish to spend a holiday touring by car from the Velay to St.-Jean-du-Gard in the Cevennes will find plenty of places of interest just on or off the Trail, and all of them are well worth a visit. Germain de Calberte-is the route totally impassable to all but walkers.

Those who are less energetic may want to retrace the main points of Stevenson`s journey by car, and this, too, is perfectly possible, for only in a few places-say between St.-Julian-d`Arpaon and St.

Robert louis stevenson modestine