I spent several days travelling through this rugged area of the Massif Central. My journey started in Ales, from where I travelled by bus up the Gardon d'Ales and over the Jalcreste Pass to reach Florac in the Cevennes. Here the local mode of transport is the donkey, many named Modestine after the animal that accompanied Robert Louis Stevenson on his travels here. In evidence too are the Protestant churches of the Camisards whose forbears hid here during the periods of reepression. The town features the confluence of the Tarn and Tarnon Rivers, and is overlooked by the cliffs of the Causse Mejean.

My journey continued on another bus, this one crossing the Montmirat pass on the flank of Mont Lozere, and finishing at the town of Mende, on the banks of the Lot River.

Yet another bus took me from Mende to Marvejols, following the valley of the Lot and the Causse Sauveterre.

From Marvejols I continued by train to Millau, with spectacular views of the Grand Causses and glimpses of the Tarn Gorge.

Millau was spectacular for the views afforded of the viaduct. Passing beneath the viaduct on a side trip to Saint Affrique gave another perspective.