grands-causses regional natural park
parc naturel rÉgional des grands-causses

The Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, in the southern Aveyron, borders the Cévennes National Park and the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park. To the north is the Lot valley and to the south the Lacaune mountains.

The area is divided in four major plateau (called here causse): Causse Mejean, Causse Noir (black causse), Causse du Larzac and Causse de Sauveterre. These causses encircled by gorges and towering cliffs are known for their beautiful wild landscape of dolomitic limestone plateau and their old and rustic medieval hamlets.

This is a magnificent area of limestone steppes, rocky chaos, river gorges and a bewitching light. It is, in effect, the southernmost bastion of the Massif Central, a breathtaking and inspirational limestone plateau, well worth seeking out. 

The park was established in 1995, and embraces 94 towns and villages, and over 66,000 inhabitants. It is a place where you'll find over 1,500 plant species, including many orchids as well as protected fauna, including the griffon vulture. There is, too, a magnificent heritage of historic buildings from Neolithic dolmens more than 7,000 years old to...the Millau viaduct!

The aims of the Regional Natural Park is to protect and enhance the natural environment whilst encouraging use of the land and sustainable, environmentally friendly development. All such parks are established where there in predominantly rural areas that require protection to maintain the cultural heritage and natural environment.