Budget:
Motorcycle DestinationLozère · Occitanie
The Lozère offers preserved roads and varied landscapes across one of the least populated departments in France. To the north, the Aubrac unfolds its vast plateaus where the horizon seems endless, while the Margeride dips into its pine forests and quiet passes. To the south, Mont Lozère peaks at 1,699 metres and the Cévennes string together tight hairpins through their chestnut groves. In between, the gorges of the Tarn and the Jonte carve vertiginous canyons that you follow along spectacular ridge roads. The Causse Méjean and the Lot valley complete the picture with their stone villages and small winding roads. Light traffic, well-maintained roads and an ever-present nature make the Lozère a destination apart for those seeking to ride without constraint.
Landscapes
Aubrac, Gorges and Cévennes
Roads
Causses, gorges and passes
Season
May to September
What to see and do in the Lozère ?
The Lozère combines natural heritage with characterful villages. The Gorges du Tarn, a spectacular canyon with turquoise waters, is home to gems such as Sainte-Enimie, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, and Saint-Chély-du-Tarn with its waterfalls. The Aven Armand and the Grotte de Dargilan offer striking underground explorations, while the rocky chaos of Nîmes-le-Vieux fascinates with its dolomitic formations. In Mende, the prefecture, the Gothic cathedral and the Pont Notre-Dame bear witness to a rich past. Further north, the Cévennes National Park, listed as UNESCO heritage, and the Aubrac plateaus reveal a preserved nature where Aubrac cattle and ewes graze. The fortified villages of La Garde-Guérin and Florac add a medieval dimension to the visit. On the wildlife front, the Parc des Loups du Gévaudan in the Margeride, the Maison des Vautours in the Jonte gorges and the Réserve des Bisons d'Europe at Sainte-Eulalie promise remarkable encounters. For gastronomy, aligot, fresh tome cheese, charcuterie and Lozère lamb will delight the palate after a day of bends.
Sainte-Enimie
VillageOne of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, nestled in the gorges. Medieval lanes, a cave chapel and the remains of a fortified monastery.
Sainte-Enimie
Aven Armand
NatureMajestic cave on the Causse Méjean with one of the largest stalagmites in Europe. Funicular descent and underground spectacle.
Meyrueis
Mende
HeritagePrefecture at the foot of a causse, with a Gothic cathedral, the Pont Notre-Dame, wash houses and picturesque lanes with a textile heritage.
Mende
Grotte de Dargilan
NatureNicknamed the pink cave, it offers flamboyant colours and immense chambers on the Causse Noir.
Meyrueis
La Garde-Guérin
VillageFortified medieval town perched above the Chassezac gorges. Cobbled lanes, a Romanesque church and vertiginous views.
Villefort
Maison des Vautours
CultureMuseum and observatory in the Jonte gorges. Learn about the four vulture species and watch them live.
Le Truel
Cascade du Déroc
NatureWaterfall dropping in two stages of nearly 60 metres. A 40-minute round-trip hike from the car park.
Pont de Montvert
Parc des Loups du Gévaudan
NatureObserve semi-wild wolves from Siberia, Poland and Canada. An immersive trail through the Margeride.
Sainte-Lucie
Florac
VillageGateway to the Cévennes National Park, nestled in a verdant valley. Traditional architecture and starting point for hikes.
Florac
Mont Lozère and Pic de Finiels
NatureThe department's highest point, with vast plateaus, granite chaos and the source of the Tarn. Hiking and 360-degree panoramas.
Le Bleymard
Gorges du Tarn
NatureSpectacular canyon with vertiginous cliffs and turquoise waters. Canoe descent or panoramic views from the ridge roads.
Sainte-Enimie
Réserve des Bisons d'Europe
NatureObserve semi-wild bison on the Aubrac. Carriage rides in summer or sleigh rides in winter.
Sainte-Eulalie
Motorcycle routes and road trip ideas in the Lozère
The Lozère offers six mapped major itineraries totalling more than 1,100 kilometres of winding roads. To the north, the Aubrac and lakes loop takes you across the high plateau along flowing roads past the Déroc waterfall, Lac des Salhiens, Étang de Bonnecombe and the Aubrac hills. The Margeride and forests loop offers forest roads and mountain lakes, passing through Villefort and Naussac. The Gorges du Tarn are best explored along the D907 bis, which winds at the foot of the cliffs, with ridge road variants for vertiginous panoramas. The Corniche des Cévennes (D9) is a former royal road between Florac and Saint-Jean-du-Gard, with sweeping views over the Vallée Française and the Vallée Borgne. Mont Lozère is discovered via the D362 with the Col du Pré de la Dame at 1,450 metres and the D998 along the infant Tarn. The Causses Méjean, Sauveterre and Noir offer straight, deserted roads punctuated by rocky chaos. Finally, the grand tour of the Lozère (290 km) links the Cévennes, the Lot valley, the Gorges du Tarn, the Aubrac and the Margeride in a single loop. These roads cross UNESCO-listed landscapes and will delight lovers of open panoramic riding and technical winding roads alike.
1
Aubrac loop D987 and high-altitude lakes
Setting off from Marvejols, the D987 crosses the Aubrac plateau with its vast grassy expanses and burons. Along the way, stops at the Déroc waterfall, Lac des Salhiens and the Étang de Bonnecombe, with panoramas over the surrounding hills. Option to extend towards the Parc des Loups du Gévaudan in the Margeride or join the neighbouring Aveyron via small rolling roads.
2
Gorges du Tarn D907 bis and ridge roads
From Florac to Sainte-Enimie, the D907 bis winds through the bottom of the canyon between limestone cliffs and emerald waters. The ridge road variants offer vertiginous viewpoints over the Tarn, Saint-Chély-du-Tarn and the hilltop villages. Can be combined with the Gorges de la Jonte via Meyrueis for a full day of grandiose scenery and winding roads.
3
Corniche des Cévennes D9 and valleys
From Florac to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, the D9 follows the crests separating the Gard and the Lozère. This former royal road offers open views over the Vallée Française and the Vallée Borgne. Possible descents via the D61 and D10 towards Le Pompidou or via the D983 towards Barre-des-Cévennes. A panoramic and flowing road ideal for appreciating the Cévennes geography with its deep valleys and chestnut groves.
4
Mont Lozère circuit D362 and Col du Pré de la Dame
Setting off from Villefort, the D362 climbs in hairpins to the Col du Pré de la Dame at 1,450 metres, the boundary between the Gard and the Lozère. Then passing the Mas de la Barque and descending towards Pont de Montvert along the infant Tarn via the D998. A narrow and winding road often closed in winter, with viewpoints offering vistas over the Cévennes summits. Return via the Corniche or the Vallée Borgne to vary the experience.
5
Grand tour of the Lozère D290 Cévennes-Aubrac
A 290-kilometre loop covering the entire department. Departing from Mende towards the Cévennes and Mont Lozère, descending to the Gorges du Tarn and the Causses, climbing back via the Lot valley, crossing the Margeride and the Aubrac before returning to Mende. A comprehensive itinerary offering a condensed version of all the Lozère landscapes in a single day, alternating flowing causse roads, winding gorge roads and panoramic high-altitude plateau roads.