Walk in Lozere, Ardeche and the Cevennes with a relaxed stay at La Bastide-Puylaurent by the river Allier. Located close to the railway station linking Marseille, Nimes, Clermont-Ferrand and Paris by the train "Le Cevenol".

One week stay at L'Etoile Guest-House

Arrive at L'Etoile during the afternoon (ample parking) look around the house, relax and settle into your room.

Day 1
You can discover the area around La Bastide-Puylaurent by following a well marked route of around 15km starting along part of the GR700/GR72, the Régordane or St Gilles Way , then crossing over to the Allier valley (an ideal spot for a picnic down by the river) and returning to La Bastide by the Stevenson Trail GR70 over the plateau Moure de la Gardille. ( 14,5 km circular walk around La Bastide-Puylaurent in Lozère)

Day 2
A walk which will take you to the Ardèche side via the GR7, GR72 to the abbey Notre Dame des Neiges (Opening hours ) then up above the Serre valley before crossing back into the Allier Valley at Rogleton , from where you return again to La Bastide by the GR 70 Stevenson Trail . ( 14 km circular walk into the Ardèche around La Bastide- Puylaurent)

Day 3
Take a trip by car to the town of Le Puy en Velay in Haute Loire passing through Luc, Langogne ( market Tuesday and Saturday mornings ) Pradelles ( medieval village overlooking the lake of Naussac ), St Paul de Tartas, the lake of Issarlès, le Béage, le Mézenc, le Monastier sur Gazeille ( starting point for Robert Louis Stevenson with his donkey Modestine on their journey through the Cévennes ) , Coubon and to Le Puy en Velay . Return by the N88 with a detour to the Lake of Bouchet. Le Puy en Velay can also be reached via Langogne using public transport.

Day 4
A nice walk from La Bastide-Puylaurent to Villefort following the GR72 and GR700 Régordane Way ( St Gilles Way) via Col du Thort, la Molette, Prévenchères (12th century Roman church), Albespeyres and La Garde-Guérin. 23 km walk from La Bastide-Puylaurent to Villefort in Lozère)

Day 5
Take the small train to Belvezet (2nd stop direction Mende) and return to La Bastide-Puylaurent by the GR7 and GR70 Stevenson Trail via les Chazeaux and the plateau Moure de la Gardille , the source of the Chassezac and Allier rivers . View of the abbey Notre Dame des Neiges ( 17km walk from Belvezet to La Bastide-Puylaurent via the GR7 and GR70 Stevenson Trail)

Day 6
Tour around Ardèche by bicycle or car from La Bastide-Puylaurent to Alzons , Pied de Borne, Thines, Gravières, Les Vans, Chambonas, Montselgues and St Laurent les Bains. Castles, places to eat , medieval village, views of Mt Lozere, the Alps and Mt Ventoux, swimming in the Borne or Chassezac rivers, traditional market in Vans on Saturday morning (90 km tour by bicycle from La Bastide-Puylaurent in Lozere)

Day 7
Wander by bicycle from La Bastide-Puylaurent to Villefort along the minor roads of Lozere via Chasserades, Puylaurent, Prevencheres, the Rachas dam, the Chassezac Gorge, Albespeyres and the medieval village of Garde Guerin. Finish with a swim in the lake at Villefort. (37 km tour by bicycle from La Bastide-Puylaurent to Villefort) Cycles from L'Etoile Guest-House. Option to add on 8km walk around the lake at Villefort 8 km walk around the lake of Villefort in Lozere.