Gorges du Tarn

The canyon, mainly located in the Lozère département, and partially in the Aveyron département, is about 53 kilometres (33 mi)-long (from the village of Quézac to Le Rozier, from 44°22′30″N 3°31′15″E / 44.37500°N 3.52083°E / 44.37500; 3.52083 to 44°11′36″N 3°12′20″E / 44.19333°N 3.20556°E / 44.19333; 3.20556) and 400 m to 600 m deep.

The gorges landscape involves Mesozoic limestone plateaux downstream presenting sub-vertical cliffs.

In the Quaternary, the gorges were also affected by volcanic activity whose traces can be found in the Causse de Sauveterre, in the form of a double or anticlinal volcanic dip, and in the basaltic rocks next to Eglazines.

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: Many castles have been built along the Gorges, most of them dating back to the Middle Ages, such as those of Castelbouc, Lacaze, Hauterives, La Malène or Saint-Rome-de-Dolan.

The Gorges du Tarn.
Gorges du Tarn, seen from the Point Sublime
Castelbouc, overlooked by its ruined castle.