Activites

During your stay, the team at Le Colombier offers you a range of activity ideas to enjoy in Lozère, based on your preferences:

Looking for relaxation?

We’ve thought of you:

  • Take a walk around Lac de Charpal, near Rieutort-de-Randon, a water reservoir designed to supply Mende. The 8 km trail, equipped with piers, is easy to access and pleasant to walk.
  • Discover the traditional markets: in Mende, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and in Langogne, 45 minutes away, on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.
  • Explore the Vallon du Villaret, an original park combining games, nature, and art. Follow a 2 km trail through the forest, dotted with more than 100 playful and artistic installations.
  • Enjoy the bars and restaurants of Mende while strolling along the banks of the Lot River.
  • Take a walk around Lac de Charpal, near Rieutort-de-Randon, a water reservoir designed to supply Mende. The 8 km trail, equipped with piers, is easy to access and pleasant to walk.

Looking for cultural activities?

Here are some suggestions:

  • Visit the Notre-Dame & Saint-Privat Cathedral in Mende and be amazed by its 8 Aubusson tapestries, listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. These exceptional works of art beautifully tell the life of the Virgin Mary.
  • Explore the Musée du Gévaudan in Mende: free entry, and a place that fascinates both young and old.
  • Venture to Dinopedia Parc, located on Mont Mimat, where dinosaurs mingle with the Lozère nature. Nearby, don’t miss the Croix du Mont Mimat, offering a spectacular panorama of the city of Mende. For the more athletic, you can reach the cross by taking the Chemin de Croix starting from the Foirail (where the Tourist Office of Mende is located). This 14-chapel trail will guide you through both a historical and physical journey (be warned, it’s a bit steep!).
  • Explore the European Bison in Aubrac and, just 20 minutes away, discover the Gévaudan Wolves. You can visit both animal parks on horseback and explore their fascinating museums. And if you visit both, there is a special offer for you (a must-see!). On the other side, in the Causses, discover the Vulture Viewing Point and the Przewalski Horses.
  • Visit Scénovision in Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole for a show tour that will introduce you to the history of the village and Margeride.
  • Dedicate an afternoon to visiting Millau and its iconic Millau Viaduct, which stretches for 2460 meters, inaugurated by Jacques Chirac in 2004.

Lozère also boasts many castles (the closest is Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole), churches, and typical villages.

Looking for local flavors?

Don’t leave Lozère without trying some of its specialties:

  • Manouls, a traditional dish made with sheep tripe and stomachs (it’s an acquired taste!). Did you know? There’s an association called the Confrérie du Manouls Langonais de Gargantua, dedicated to promoting and preserving this tradition.
  • Coupétade, a typical dessert made with bread and fruit (delicious!).
  • Croquant de Mende, crispy and sweet.
  • Herb sausage, full of character.
  • Aligot from Aubrac. One of the specialties of Aubrac is to enjoy delicious aligot sausage in a typical and exceptional setting: the buron, an old shepherd’s farm, often isolated in the heart of nature. Here are a few places we’ve tested for you: Le Buron de Born, Le Buron de l’Aubrac, and Le Buron du Ché.
  • Aubrac tea. Yes, really! It’s a typical plant of the Aubrac plateau. A relative of mint, it’s unique in that it is caffeine-free. It is said that its infusion helps reduce symptoms of nervousness, such as headaches, palpitations, and dizziness.

And let’s not forget that Lozère is famous for its local products: beef, cheese, and delicious charcuterie! Just an hour from Mende, you can discover the Fromagerie de Hyelzas in southern Lozère. And an hour and a half away, don’t miss the famous Roquefort Caves (though they are located in Aveyron!).

Looking for sport?

In Lozère, and especially in Mende, you can explore the landscapes on foot, by mountain bike, by bike, or on horseback thanks to rando.lozere.fr, a website offering free secure routes of the department, available in PDF and GPX formats.

We don’t leave you without ideas! Here’s what we suggest:

  • Hike and discover “ghost” villages such as Le Gerbal and La Chaumette, near Mende. The last inhabitants left these places in 1905.
  • Try canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding in the Gorges du Tarn, stopping at Sainte-Enimie, a medieval village located 30 minutes from Mende. You can rent your equipment from Canoë 2000 or Canoë Méjean. According to legend, Sainte-Enimie was cured of an incurable disease by the Burle spring, which remains blue all year long!
  • Go fishing at Lac de Charpal, just 25 minutes from Mende, the largest no-kill lake in France. It’s open from May 1st to December 31st.
  • Take a flight in an ULM from the Mende Aerodrome with ULM Lozère.