Château de Montalet

4 points of interest

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  The Cèze

  A study carried out into the navigability of the Cèze by boat was a failure: the river’s flow is not regular enough. While its level is sometimes very low in summer due to drought, the Cèze can be dangerously unpredictable: it can reach exceptional heights in just a few hours. With its spring 25 km upstream in the Cévennes mountains, it receives all the surface runoff during storms, which considerably increases its flow.

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  Le Montgrillet

  Le Montgrillet is the hillock above the village. The population of Meyrannes used to be overwhelmingly farmers, who lived on what they grew. Le Montgrillet is exposed to the sun and close to the village, and was the ideal spot for farming. Evidence for this can be seen all along the path. The grove of olive trees above the path indicates one of the crops once grown in Meyrannes, along with grapes and mulberry trees (for leaves to feed to silkworms). (B. Mathieu)  

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  Montalet Castle

  This is one of the largest feudal castles in the Cévennes. Its purpose is believed to have been surveillance of the area located between the Régordane Way and access to the Ardèche valley. Its ramparts were originally flanked by seven towers. Its shape on the ground seems to represent a bird’s wing, perhaps as a reminder of the coat of arms of the Bérard de Montalet family. The castle seems to have been abandoned by the Bérard de Montalet as early as the 15th century. Since 1985, an association of volunteers has been working to restore it. A mediaeval day is organised in the first half of May.

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  A mining past

  The track going down to Molières is dotted with remnants from a flourishing mining past. In a large bend, you can spot a former slag heap now covered by pines. A little further, a sort of large keep reminds us that there is a mine shaft. Further still, you will see a footbridge that the miners used every day to get back to their homes, some of which were several kilometres away.