Massif Central - 1st to 7th July 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:27 pm
I have recently returned from a highly enjoyable six days spent studying butterflies in the Cévennes, which is part of the Massif Central range of mountains in the south of France.
I stayed just outside Florac, a small town about 80 miles northwest of Nimes, and a veritable haven of traditional French life set in spectacular countryside.
Florac is at 550m altitude, and lies at the confluence of the rivers Tarn and Tarnon, sandwiched between the steep limestone Causse Méjean to the west and the sharply rising ridge that leads to the 1699m Mont Lozère to the east and north.
The area is the least inhabited département in France, and you can truly feel close to nature here, as the traffic is sparse and the holidaymakers generally restricted to the campsites near the rivers.
I had originally wanted to spend time exploring both the limestone plateaux and the granite uplands, but the lack of a credit card meant that I had to cancel the hire car I'd reserved. No matter though, this instead gave me the opportunity to do lots of walking (and save £300+ to boot!)
The following is a resumé of what Lepidopteral delights I experienced between 1st and 7th July - and please feel free to pass comment/advise on IDs if you like.
I stayed just outside Florac, a small town about 80 miles northwest of Nimes, and a veritable haven of traditional French life set in spectacular countryside.
Florac is at 550m altitude, and lies at the confluence of the rivers Tarn and Tarnon, sandwiched between the steep limestone Causse Méjean to the west and the sharply rising ridge that leads to the 1699m Mont Lozère to the east and north.
The area is the least inhabited département in France, and you can truly feel close to nature here, as the traffic is sparse and the holidaymakers generally restricted to the campsites near the rivers.
I had originally wanted to spend time exploring both the limestone plateaux and the granite uplands, but the lack of a credit card meant that I had to cancel the hire car I'd reserved. No matter though, this instead gave me the opportunity to do lots of walking (and save £300+ to boot!)
The following is a resumé of what Lepidopteral delights I experienced between 1st and 7th July - and please feel free to pass comment/advise on IDs if you like.