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Florac

Visit Florac, Languedoc-Roussillon

Florac is in the Parc National de Cevennes, in the Massif Central, in the Lozère department of Languedoc-Roussillon. The Cevennes are to the east of the town and the Gorges du Tarn to the west.

Explore Florac

It is a pretty small town in an enviable position in the Tarnon river valley, and is the central 'visitor centre' for the Parc des Cevennes. Florac spreads out along the river and up the hillside and makes for a pleasant stopover town.

Florac castle is the centre of the town and dates from 1652 although an earlier defensive castle stood on the same location, and was destroyed in the Wars of Religion. The castle has also served as a prison and a salt storage warehouse, before taking on its present role as regional tourist information office.

The town itself is quite small, but has two large open squares with restaurants and a few shops - the 'esplanade' is the larger of the two. There are also a few smaller streets and alleys to explore to see more of the 'old' town of Florac. The oldest part of Florac, known as le Planet, is around the eastern end of the esplanade.

Continue west along the street running parallel to the esplanade, the old merchant's route, and pass by the Saint-Martin Church - take a look also at the facade of the old convent here, an impressive 16th century renaissance building and now a listed historic monument.

A smaller river (le Vibron) runs down through Florac, and is a centre for fish-breeding - baby trout are raised here to be released elsewhere. There are various ponds along the route of the stream, providing lots of 'pretty buildings reflected in the water' photo opportunities!

Behind the town (access from the parking behind Florac castle) there is a pleasant wooded park area with plenty of space for picnics and for children to run around, and a nice cool place to escape the heat.

Local highlights and attractions

The nearby village of Bédouès is worth a visit - you can't miss the unusual belltower as you approach the village - and Florac is also close to the many menhirs to be found around La Cham des Bondons.

Visitors hoping to explore the Cevennes National Parc more thoroughly will want to visit the Chateau de Florac, the headquarters for the parc and source of much information to help your visit, while a trip along the very scenic Gorges du Tarn to the west is also highly recommended.

Photos of Florac (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Florac, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Sainte-Enimie 16km; Saint-Chely-du-Tarn 17km; Mende 23km; Gorges du Tarn 29km; La Garde-Guerin 33km; Marvejols 35km; Le Vigan 37km; Severac-le-Chateau 42km; Anduze 42km; Prafrance bamboo garden 42km; Naves 43km; Banne 45km; Millau 49km; Aumont Aubrac 51km; La Couvertoirade 51km; Millau bridge 53km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Florac

Florac tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Chaos de Nimes-le-Vieux - site of natural beauty (15km) : Aven Armand (grotte) - site of natural beauty (23km) : Abîme de Bramabiau - site of natural beauty (25km) : Jardin du Tomple - remarkable garden (28km) : Jardin du mas de l'Abri - remarkable garden (31km) : Jardin des Sambucs - remarkable garden (34km) : Chaos de Montpellier-le-Vieux - site of natural beauty (37km) : Bambouseraie de Prafrance - remarkable garden (41km) :