Gorges du Tarn
Encyclopedia
The Gorges du Tarn is a canyon
formed by the Tarn River
between the Causse Méjean
and the Causse de Sauveterre, in southern France
. The canyon, mainly located in the Lozère
département, and partially in the Aveyron
département, is about 53 kilometres (32.9 mi)-long (from the village of Quézac
to Le Rozier
, from 44°22′30"N 3°31′15"E to 44°11′36"N 3°12′20"E) and 400m to 600m deep.
limestone plateaux downstream presenting sub-vertical cliffs, though faults like the Hauterive Fault upstream explain the important water sources in the region of Saint-Enimie (the Burle source and the Coussac source, the latter joining the Tarn
in an impressive waterfall), and the more complex geology.
In the quaternary, the gorges were also affected by a volcanic activity whose traces can be found in the Sauveterre Causse, in the form of a double volcanic dip, and in the basaltic rocks next to Eglanzines.
The climate is mediterranean, with relatively mild winters and very warm summers.
Tourism is a main factor of development in the region, with activities that include :
, La Malène or Saint-Rome-de-Dolan…
Canyon
A canyon or gorge is a deep ravine between cliffs often carved from the landscape by a river. Rivers have a natural tendency to reach a baseline elevation, which is the same elevation as the body of water it will eventually drain into. This forms a canyon. Most canyons were formed by a process of...
formed by the Tarn River
Tarn River
The Tarn is a long river in southern France , right tributary of the Garonne.The Tarn runs in a roughly westerly direction, from its source at an altitude of 1,550 m on Mont Lozère in the Cévennes mountains , through the deep gorges and canyons of the Gorges du Tarn The Tarn is a long...
between the Causse Méjean
Causse Méjean
Causse Méjean is a limestone plateau in the Lozère department, in southern France.-See also:* Causses* Gorges du Tarn* Cévennes National Park...
and the Causse de Sauveterre, in southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The canyon, mainly located in the Lozère
Lozère
Lozère , is a department in southeast France near the Massif Central, named after Mont Lozère.- History :Lozère is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
département, and partially in the Aveyron
Aveyron
Aveyron is a département in southern France named after the Aveyron River.- History :Aveyron is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790....
département, is about 53 kilometres (32.9 mi)-long (from the village of Quézac
Quézac, Lozère
Quézac is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-References:...
to Le Rozier
Le Rozier
Le Rozier is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Lozère department...
, from 44°22′30"N 3°31′15"E to 44°11′36"N 3°12′20"E) and 400m to 600m deep.
Geography
The architecture of the gorges is relatively simple, with mesozoicMesozoic
The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...
limestone plateaux downstream presenting sub-vertical cliffs, though faults like the Hauterive Fault upstream explain the important water sources in the region of Saint-Enimie (the Burle source and the Coussac source, the latter joining the Tarn
Tarn River
The Tarn is a long river in southern France , right tributary of the Garonne.The Tarn runs in a roughly westerly direction, from its source at an altitude of 1,550 m on Mont Lozère in the Cévennes mountains , through the deep gorges and canyons of the Gorges du Tarn The Tarn is a long...
in an impressive waterfall), and the more complex geology.
In the quaternary, the gorges were also affected by a volcanic activity whose traces can be found in the Sauveterre Causse, in the form of a double volcanic dip, and in the basaltic rocks next to Eglanzines.
The climate is mediterranean, with relatively mild winters and very warm summers.
Activities
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Speleology in the Causses
- Visiting typical villages : Cirque de Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, ...
- Rock climbing
- Outdoor sports and leisures...
Architecture
Many castles have been built along the Gorges, most of them dating back to the Middle-Age, such as those of Castelbouc, La Caze, HauterivesHauterives
Hauterives is a commune in the Drôme department in southeastern France.-Geography:The Galaure flows southwest through the middle of the commune. It is home to Ferdinand Cheval's self-made Ideal Palace.-Population:-References:*...
, La Malène or Saint-Rome-de-Dolan…
External links
- http://www.gorgesdutarn.net/?lang=en