La Garde-Guerin

Visit La Garde-Guerin, Languedoc-Roussillon

La-Garde-Guerin is a village in the Parc National de Cevennes, in the Lozère department of Languedoc-Roussillon, in the Massif Central and officially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Perched on a rocky plateau in a beautiful location it is one of several small attractive villages to discover in the Cevennes National Parc. It is also a very isolated place, reached via an approach road along the scenic Gorges de Chassezac.

Poised high above the gorges, the fortified village of La-Garde-Guerin dates from the 12th century although the houses we see today date from the 16th century - more specifically the years from 1595 to 1597 when they were all rebuilt after damage suffered during the wars of religion.

Exploring La Garde-Guerin

Note: cars are not permitted in the village itself.

The village is entered via gates in the fortifications - the Porte du Rachas and the Porte Saint-Michel. These fortified walls are still almost complete around the village and inside you will discover narrow, cobbled streets lined with sturdy medieval houses, the remains of a castle, and a small roman style church (the Church of Saint-Michel).

Apparently the fort and the associated watchtower was originally built for a local group of soldiers who protected important travellers and goods being transported in the region. in return for this protection travellers had to pay a toll to the soldiers. Some historians describe the community as important protectors, while others refer to them as bandits. It was only after the revolution that the community of soldiers was disbanded.

There are various other features of interest including the lavoir, the bread ovens, an ancient stone cross at the entrance and lots of individual features on the stone houses (see the tourist information board at the entrance for details before you enter the village).

Within the village, amble behind the castle for views across the Gorges de Chassezac while from the southern edge of the village you can see across to Mont Lozere.

When I visited it seemed almost like an abandoned village it was so quiet, as if the inhabitants had left 500 years ago and nothing much had happened since. Small but perfectly formed, a visit to La Garde-Guerin is highly recommended.

Attractions nearby

After your visit travel a few hundred metres further along the road for an even better view of the gorges from the belvedere.

Several kilometres below La Garde-Guerin is a large lake (swimming possible) and an alternative view up the gorges from below (from the barrage).

Photos of La Garde-Guerin (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for La Garde-Guerin: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near La Garde-Guerin, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Pradelles 28km; Thueyts 30km; Jaujac 30km; Mende 32km; Labeaume 32km; Florac 33km; Meyras 33km; Cevennes National Park 34km; Ailhon 35km; Balazuc 37km; Montbrun 38km; Arlempdes 38km; Aubenas 40km; Vogue 40km; Vallon Pont d'Arc 40km; Gorges de l'Ardeche 40km;

See these places and more on a map at places near La Garde-Guerin

La Garde-Guerin tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin du mas de l'Abri - remarkable garden (14km) : Jardin du Tomple - remarkable garden (16km) : Bois de Païolive - site of natural beauty (27km) : Gorges du Gardon - grand site of france (27km) : Grotte de la Cocaliere - site of natural beauty (31km) : Monts d'Ardeche - regional natural parc (37km) : Cascade du Ray-Pic - site of natural beauty (39km) : Gorges de l'Ardeche - grand site of france (40km) :

French version: see La Garde-Guerin (Francais)